Personal qualities needed by undergraduate nursing students for a successful work integrated learning (WIL) experience

Abstract

BackgroundInternational research has shown that during work integrated learning (WIL) undergraduate nursing students may experience stress, self-doubt, and coping issues, however personal qualities these students bring to their WIL journey or those needed to succeed during WIL remain unknown. ObjectiveTo describe the views of students midway through their Bachelor of Nursing program regarding personal qualities they bring to and need for WIL success. DesignThis article reports on a descriptive study that used an electronic questionnaire to collect the data. Settings and participantsBachelor of nursing students (n = 421), who were studying fulltime or part time equivalent, at a regional university in Queensland Australia, were invited to complete the anonymous electronic questionnaire that was developed by the research team following an extensive review of literature. Inclusion criteria required participants to have completed at least one WIL experience and be midway through their three-year Bachelor of Nursing program. MethodsData were collected during January and February 2017. The electronic questionnaire consisted of demographic, forced choice questions, and open-ended questions. This paper presents the qualitative analysis of responses to two of the open-ended questions that focused on personal strengths and work integrated learning experiences. Data were analysed using the inductive content analysis approach. ResultsSix personal qualities were identified including: enthusiasm to succeed, commitment to learning, self-motivation, confidence, effective communication skills, and compassion. ConclusionsPre-entry screening of applicants to bachelor level nursing programs and the delivery of learning opportunities that encourages both reflection and debriefing may assist in describing personal qualities needed to succeed in WIL.