What does caring mean to nursing and social work students?

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Education

Background:

• Nursing and social work are distinct yet related caring professions.
• The precise meaning of caring for future professionals remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perception of the meaning of caring among nursing and social work students in Lithuania.
• To identify the core components constituting the meaning of caring for these future professionals.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative content analysis of data collected through reflective narratives.
• Snowball sampling technique to recruit participants.

Main Results:

• The meaning of caring encompasses mission, proficiency, values, and collaboration for both student groups.
• While core features overlap, their professional implementation varies.
• Caring is viewed as holistic assistance and a professional mission, with profession-specific differences in tasks and focus.

Conclusions:

• The meaning of caring is a developmental process influenced by professional philosophy, practice, learning, and experience.
• It involves a way of thinking about professional being and collaborative action for others' well-being.
• Integrating the meaning of caring into education can foster a shift towards interdisciplinary, patient-centered practices and team-working.