Metaphors used by in-service training nurses for in-service training nurses in Turkey

To report a study conducted using a qualitative and quantitative study pattern with an aim to reveal the perceptions of in-service training nurses about in-service training nurses via metaphors.

The in-service training nurse assumes great responsibility in the effective and efficient implementation of the educational activities in healthcare. In line with this, determining the perceptions of the in-service training nurses about in-service training nurses via metaphors and taking this into consideration in professional activities are important in terms of developing, changing, or questioning the perspectives of the in-service training nurses about their roles and developing their own training nurse identity.

This article was designed as qualitative and quantitative study pattern.

The population of the study included 93 in-service training nurses. Data were collected between June-September 2009. To collect data, each in-service training nurse was asked to complete the blanks in the sentence, 'The in-service training nurse is like a/an.....................because..................' The data were analysed using qualitative (content analysis) and quantitative (chi-square) data analysis methods.

According to the findings of the study, the in-service training nurses identified 59 metaphors in total. The metaphors were grouped under nine conceptual categories depending on the characteristics they had in common. In cognitive image of the in-service training nurses relating to the concept of in-service training nurse, the outstanding conceptual category was the in-service training nurse as a knowledge provider.

The metaphors can be used as a strong research tool in understanding, revealing and explaining the cognitive images of the in-service training nurses.