Discovering Nurse Mode: A Phenomenological Study of Nursing Student Role Micro-Transitions

Keywords

role transitions, mindfulness, nursing education, nursing students, self-care, burnout, nurse mode, phenomenology, qualitative

Abstract

Aim

To explore the experiences of undergraduate nursing students in navigating daily micro-transitions between nursing and non-nursing roles.

Background

Nursing students develop professional role identity through socialization, experience, and practice while simultaneously managing pre-existing personal roles. This dynamic creates a training ground for future sustainable practice.

Design

Qualitative, cross-sectional, interpretive phenomenological design with hermeneutics.

Methods

Seventeen undergraduate nursing students participated online in semi-structured, audiovisual-recorded interviews until data saturation was reached.

Results

Three main themes emerged: 1) Strategies for Getting In and Out of Nurse Mode, 2) Cultivating Mindful Nursing Practice, and 3) Nursing Student Socialization and Immersion. Findings indicated that nursing students noticed benefits in their personal and professional lives as they developed this skill. Findings also suggested that students need support from their educators to ensure they are not trapped in nurse modewhile learning to navigate nurse role identity.

Conclusions

Understanding and supporting nursing students in managing role micro-transitions are crucial. Findings indicated a functional need for nursing students to understand and apply knowledge and skills regarding a) when to initiate a role micro-transition and b) how to complete a micro-transition effectively between a nursing and non-nursing role. Educational strategies and support systems addressing this need may improve future nursing professionals' quality of life and clinical practice.

Original Publication Citation

10. Watson, A. L., Anderson, M., Peterson, C., *Watson, S. B., Thomas, D., *Young, C. D., Whitham, A., **Prescott, S., **Gardner, T., & **Sutton-Clark, G. (2024). Discovering Nurse Mode: A Phenomenological Study of Nursing Student Role Micro-Transitions. Nurse Education in Practice, 80, 104101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2024.104101

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2024-08-25

Publisher

Nurse Education in Practice; Elsevier

Language

English

College

Nursing

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

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