Shifting Perceptions: A Qualitative Exploration of Saudi Nursing Students' Views on Ageing Before and After a...

As Saudi Arabia faces a growing ageing population, the demand for gerontologically competent nurses is increasingly critical. Yet, nursing students often enter clinical practice with limited exposure to older adults, perpetuating ageist views and inadequate preparedness.

This study aimed to explore how a geriatric nursing course influenced perceptions of ageing among Saudi nursing students and to identify attitudinal and emotional shifts before and after course completion.

A qualitative longitudinal design was used with 19 undergraduate nursing students who completed pre- and postcourse reflection activities. Data were collected between January and April 2025 and were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke's six-step framework.

Five key themes revealed: (1) from pity to empathy, (2) valuing strengths and resilience, (3) busting ageing myths, (4) holistic, person-centred care intentions, and (5) educational compounds. Precourse reflections revealed deficit-based perceptions of ageing, while postcourse reflections demonstrated greater emotional sensitivity, corrected misconceptions, and a commitment to dignified elder care.

The findings highlight the transformative impact of even a single semester of structured gerontological education and support the integration of experiential, myth-challenging content to foster age-inclusive care, informing curriculum development in Saudi nursing programs.