A Phenomenological Description of the Practical Nursing Training Experience

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the meaning of nurses' experiences in practical training from their narratives looking back on their training.Methods: A phenomenological research method was used. Unstructured interviews were conducted individually and in groups of six participants over 9 months. In this paper, I report the stories of two people who talked about the changes during their 4 years of practical training. My focus was the meaning brought by the practical training experience from a long-term perspective.Results: Participant B learned step-by-step through her practical training and understood that her relationship with patients had changed. Participant C said that her nursing practices were reflected to her practical training experiences, which did not go well.Conclusions: The nurses' relationships with patients and failed practice experiences changed their perspectives on nursing and their attitudes as nurses. The practical experience formed the basis of the participants' attitudes and practices when they became nurses.