‘It has given me tools to meet patients’ needs’: students’ experiences of learning caring science in reflection seminars

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to describe nursing students’ experiences of learning caring science by using reflection seminars as a didactic model. A reflective lifeworld research approach according to Husserl’s phenomenological philosophy was used. Findings suggest that reflective seminars increased understanding of caring science, other people and one’s self. Moreover, substance-oriented reflection and lifeworld perspectives provided a good learning environment. Learning prerequisites were found to be openness, honesty, respect, trust, security, justice, parity and shared responsibilities along with having a common platform and a clear framework. These findings highlight conditions for a culture conducive to learning and for gaining embodied knowledge, but also present concerns regarding the difficulty and importance of establishing a good learning environment. A need to create meaningfulness, establish caring as conscious, reflective acts and show the value in personal differences were also found. These findings offer an important perspective necessary for preparing nurses to perform good quality care.