The Experiences of Nursing Students Participating in Lifelong Education During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 19) Pandemic

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the experiences of nursing students participating in lifelong education during the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This qualitative study adopted the phenomenological research method. Eight nursing students, who had experienced more than two lifelong education experiences, participated in this study. Data was collected through individual in-depth interviews between November 2021 and December 2021 and analyzed using Colaizzi(1978)’s method. Results: Four categories, including nine theme clusters, emerged from the data: ‘Determinant factors of participation in lifelong education,’ ‘Performance factors of participation in lifelong education,’ ‘Barriers to participation in lifelong education,’ and ‘Successful conditions of participation in lifelong education.’ Conclusion: The results of this study provide primary data for the development of lifelong education of nursing students during the COVID-19 situation. The findings indicate a necessity to improve the lifelong education system at universities in the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 era.