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Cultivating caring through caring group and ropes course experiences
Ellen Birx1, Mark Wagstaff, Susan R Van Patten
1School of Nursing, Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism, Radford University, Virginia 24142, USA. ebirx@radford.edu
Nurse Educator
|March 5, 2008
Summary
Nursing students developed enhanced caring and teamwork skills through integrated group and ropes course experiences. These activities fostered crucial elements like trust and support within the cohort.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Experiential Learning
Background:
- Baccalaureate nursing programs require development of both clinical skills and interpersonal competencies.
- Traditional curricula may not fully address the cultivation of caring and teamwork in early semesters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of integrated caring groups and ropes courses on nursing students' development of caring and teamwork.
- To explore teaching strategies that promote group cohesion, trust, and mutual support.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of caring group sessions and ropes course activities during the first semester of an upper-division nursing curriculum.
- Qualitative and quantitative assessments of student experiences and perceived outcomes related to caring and teamwork.
Main Results:
- Students reported increased feelings of closeness, trust, and support within their cohort.
- Significant improvements in perceived teamwork and caring behaviors were observed.
- The experiential activities were effective in promoting group cohesion.
Conclusions:
- Integrating caring groups and ropes courses is an effective strategy for enhancing caring and teamwork in nursing students.
- Experiential learning modalities can positively influence the development of essential professional nursing attributes.
- These methods provide a foundation for collaborative and supportive nursing practice.
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