PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF NURSING STUDENTS ABOUT DISTANCE EDUCATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN TURKEY: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a worldwide health and social crisis, has also directly affected the education system. The aim of this study was to explore and understand the perceptions and experiences of nursing students’ about distance education during the pandemic. Method: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted with undergraduate nursing students from a state university in Manisa, Turkey. This study used a purposive sampling method and collected data through semi-structured interviews. Online interviews were conducted with nursing students (n=16) in April 2021. Data was analyzed using the hermeneutic interpretative approach. Results: The ages of the participants were between 21-26. 74 codes gathered under three main themes emerged: advantages and gains were classified as "positive aspects"; disadvantages, needs, and losses were classified as "negative aspects"; occupation-related, learning-related, and personal aspects were classified as "emotions. Conclusion and Suggestions: The students mentioned that distance nursing education has both positive and negative aspects. The most mentioned issue is that although everything is more accessible on theoretical knowledge of nursing, the practice training is not suitable for the distance education system and is insufficient. It is a fact that distance nursing education cannot provide the desired or sufficient output because nursing practices cannot be carried out remotely.