Student perceptions, experiences and support within their current Bachelor of Nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education Research
• Curriculum Design
• Student Experience

Background:

• Investigating student perspectives is crucial for effective curriculum design in nursing programs.
• Empowering students as partners in program development enhances educational outcomes.
• Understanding student expectations informs the creation of inclusive and supportive learning environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perceptions and experiences of Bachelor of Nursing (BN) students.
• To identify student expectations and their preparedness for academic and clinical nursing practice.
• To inform curriculum designers and academics on student-centered program development.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing semi-structured focus group interviews.
• Thematic analysis used for data interpretation.
• Participants recruited from Bachelor of Nursing programs at a multi-campus Australian university.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes emerged: student expectations, program engagement (interesting and stimulating), and preparedness for study and clinical practice.
• Students cited strong personal reasons and university factors (location, rankings) for enrollment.
• The BN program was perceived as interesting and adequately preparing students for clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• Students' personal motivations significantly influence their choice of nursing studies.
• The BN curriculum generally meets student expectations for preparedness, but orientation and technology support require improvement.
• Enhancing program orientation and learning technology assistance can further optimize the student experience and readiness for nursing practice.