Using visual inquiry to reveal differences in nursing students' perception of case management

An exploratory, qualitative study of 24 senior generic nursing students (GNSs) and 23 practicing registered nurse baccalaureate students (PRNSs) was conducted to evaluate students' perceptions about case management for community-based children with disabilities, and to examine the differences in the two student groups' perceptions utilizing the visual inquiry method. For a class project, the students used words and photographs to show how they solved one problem for a family caring for a child with a disability in the community. All students agreed on the overall theme, home environment; however, significant differences in each group's perception of this theme emerged. The GNSs described the home environment as a barrier, whereas the PRNSs described the home environment as being inside the home and outside the home. Moreover, two other themes emerged with the 23 PRNSs that were not perceived by the GNSs. The analysis of students' perceptions about case management of their clients was conducted from data analysis of the photographs. Though the literature does not support that differences in learning between the GNSs and PRNSs exist, this study demonstrates there are differences in perception about case management between the two groups.