Caring, learning and learning environment in the early stage of the pandemic: "I want to become a nurse to contribute to society!" Nursing students experiences 3 months into a pandemic-views on study situation and thoughts on a future in nursing

Abstract

The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has caused different challenges in societies around the world. For educators, an increased focus on education of health personnel, defined as any form of learning and caring for students whom lockdown has sent into “home offices” and who need advice and support. Aim: To describe nursing students’ experiences of their caring, learning and learning environment during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: Four nursing students in their second year of the Bachelor programme in Oslo, the capital of Norway, participated in a qualitative study in June 2020. A semi structured focus group interview was conducted, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Three categories emerged from the analysis: Experiences of concern for the study situation, Experiences of a Changing Learning Environment, and Motivation for a Future Role as a Nurse. Conclusion: The nursing students reflected on the importance of participation and cooperation with teachers and fellow students in the ongoing digital and social learning process to reach the goal of completing a nursing education. Being included and supported by educators and fellow students in the study situation helped the students to stay on and master their educational and personal challenges. Keywords: Caring, Learning, Pandemic situation, Nursing Students, Qualitative method