Nursing students' perception of health in South Korea: a qualitative content analysis

Health is a highly valued outcome and state of being in human society. The health perceptions that nursing students develop during their education significantly influence their future patient care. However, there is limited understanding of how these perceptions evolve throughout nursing education.

This study aimed to explore nursing students' personal perceptions of health and how these perceptions evolve from the first to the fourth year of their education.

A qualitative content analysis was conducted using data from semi-structured group interviews with 14 first-year and 17 fourth-year nursing students recruited through purposive sampling from three nursing colleges in South Korea. Data were analysed using Graneheim and Lundman's code-subcategory-category-theme framework.

First-year students themed health as 'full wellness and possibility in life', viewing it as a passive, static state, while fourth-year students themed it as 'fundamental values for wellbeing and possibilities for life', seeing it as an active, dynamic state linked to problem-solving and life's value. Categories included 'state,' 'ability' and 'meaning'.

This study reveals a significant evolution in nursing students' health perceptions throughout their education. The findings suggest a need to shift nursing education from a disease-centred to a health-centred approach, providing insights for curriculum development to better prepare future nurses for comprehensive healthcare delivery.