A new undergraduate adult nursing curriculum was introduced in 2013. Responding to the demand for compassionate as well as technically competent nurses, the curriculum had a clear underpinning philosophy based on the Humanisation developed by Todres and Galvin (2012). A research study was constructed to explore the beliefs and values of caring, held by student nurses from entry to completion of their education programme.
A qualitative longitudinal approach was used with two small cohorts of nursing students (February 2013 and 2014). The study concluded in Feb 2017 and ethical approval from Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó was granted. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged:
- Articulating the terms caring and dignity
- Recognising the need for individualisation
- Learning nursing
- Personal journey.Â
Both cohorts acknowledged the influence of the humanising curriculum on the way they perceived care as they journeyed through the programme, moving from notions of caring for with a focus on skills to caring about with a focus on compassionate human connections both with clients and colleagues.
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