The learning space-interpersonal interactions between nursing students, patients, and supervisors at developing and...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Learning Environments
• Healthcare Pedagogy

Background:

• Clinical practice is crucial for nursing student development.
• Previous studies highlight the significance of the learning space but lack depth in explaining its meaning.
• A gap exists in understanding the phenomenon of the learning space in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain and understand the learning space within the clinical practice setting.
• To explore the interactions between patients, nursing student pairs, and supervisors.
• To investigate the learning space on a developing and learning care unit in Sweden.

Main Methods:

• Reflective Lifeworld Research (RLR) approach.
• Hermeneutical foundation for data interpretation.
• Qualitative data collection through observation and interviews with 39 participants (16 patients, 10 students, 13 supervisors).

Main Results:

• An interpersonal linkage is established within the learning space among patients, students, and supervisors.
• A learning space founded on mutual respect fosters beneficial and supportive interactions.
• These interactions contribute to the development of deeper relationships within the clinical setting.

Conclusions:

• The learning space is a complex phenomenon due to its dynamic and expandable nature.
• The learning space is intrinsically connected to its surrounding environment and cannot be isolated.
• Holistic understanding and consideration of the learning space are essential to maximize its potential in nursing education.