Nurses' and students' perceptions of care: a phenomenological study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Qualitative Research
• Phenomenology

Background:

• Understanding nurses' attitudes towards care is crucial for quality patient outcomes.
• Existing literature highlights the complexity of caring in nursing practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences and attitudes of nurses and nursing students regarding care and caring.
• To identify themes and insights into the phenomenon of caring within the nursing profession.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed.
• Data were collected through tape-recorded interviews with 15 nurses and 6 nursing students.
• Significant statements were analyzed and organized into themes.

Main Results:

• The study reinforced the intricate nature of caring in nursing.
• New insights emerged regarding the themes of 'taking risks' and 'supporting care'.
• Participants' beliefs and feelings about caring were illuminated through their expressed experiences.

Conclusions:

• The findings underscore the complexity of care and caring in nursing.
• Implications exist for nurse educators, emphasizing the need to center care within the nursing curriculum.
• Further research may explore the identified themes of 'taking risks' and 'supporting care'.