Dual Collegiate Roles-The Lived Experience of Nursing Student Athletes

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Sports Psychology
• Higher Education Studies

Background:

• College sports participation cultivates teamwork and communication skills.
• These skills can enhance the lived experiences of nursing students who were also student athletes.
• The transition into nursing programs can be uniquely influenced by prior athletic involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of nursing students who participated in college sports.
• To understand the meaning attributed to the dual roles of nursing student and student athlete.
• To identify how the student athlete experience influences the nursing student journey.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological study design.
• Semi-structured interviews with thirteen practicing nurses.
• Analysis of experiences of nurses who competed in college sports during their nursing program.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: athletic identity, perseverance, advocates and adversaries, and belongingness.
• Participation in college sports fostered a significant sense of belonging.
• This sense of belonging was found to assist in the transition to college life.

Conclusions:

• Balancing academics and athletics is achievable for nursing students.
• Participation in college sports offers potential academic and professional practice benefits.
• Athletic experiences can positively shape nursing students' transition into their careers.