Interprofessional undergraduate students talk about nurses and nursing: A qualitative study. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crawford, Ruth M.; Gallagher, Peter; Harding, Thomas; McKinlay, Eileen M.; Pullon, Susan R.
• Is Part Of: Nurse education today. Volume 39(2016)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Nursing -- Interprofessional education -- Undergraduate -- Perceptions; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Education, Nursing -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Nursing -- Study and teaching; Periodicals; 610.7307
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2015.12.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-6917

Abstract

Summary: Objectives: To understand the discourse amongst a range of health professional students, including nursing, talking about nurses and nursing. Design: A qualitative descriptive study which employed the use of focus groups. Settings: A rural and residential interprofessional immersion programme in a rural location in New Zealand. The participants were final year undergraduates drawn from seven different degrees (dentistry, dietetics, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy and physiotherapy). Methods: Data were collected from separate and sequential group interviews; each of which comprised a different mix of students and always included nursing students. Each student participated once. Data were analysed by comparing datum with datum until recurrent themes emerged. Results: The discourse in relation to nurses and nursing identified two overarching themes 'constrained conversations' and 'the benefit of IPE: what nursing might become'. Within those themes there were four contributing sub themes; 'nursing as doing', 'limiting our vocabulary', 'becoming part of the conversation 'and 'moving from the present to the future what nursing might become'. Conclusions: The interprofessional experience for student nurses not only enabled them to learn about other professions but was a forum in which they were able to articulate the role of the nurse. This was an unintended and positive by-product of the IPE programme. Highlights: Articulating the nature of nursing prove troublesome Nursing students should be intentionally exposed to other students with the clear purpose to find out about each other's role. IPE provides a key platform for nursing students to articulate the profession