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Patients to people
1School of Human and Health Studies, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, England.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Student nurses develop empathy through a
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Student nurse socialization is crucial for professional development.
- Understanding evolving perceptions of patients is key to effective nursing care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the changing perceptions of student nurses towards patients over three years.
- To identify factors influencing the development of empathy in nursing students.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study using grounded theory.
- Exploration of emergent views from a cohort of student nurses over three years.
Main Results:
- Student nurses' perceptions shifted from viewing patients as 'patients' to recognizing them as 'people'.
- Empathy development was linked to this shift and personal growth.
- Challenging encounters, like with children, prompted critical reflection on patient perceptions.
Conclusions:
- A reciprocal relationship exists between self-perception and patient perception in nurses.
- Findings are vital for educators preparing students for caring professions.
- This study focuses on traditionally trained nurses, not Project 2000 students.