Students learning in clinical practice, supervised in pairs of students – a phenomenological study

Abstract

Background: Clinical studies have an important position in Nursing Education, it is thus important to develop the learning strategies of students in order to facilitate their learning process during the clinical practice. The aim of the study is to describe the process of students’ learning towards their profession, when supported by supervision in pairs.

Methods: Data has been collected through interviews of students during their clinical studies. The study has been carried out with a Reflective Lifeworld Research (RLR) approach founded on phenomenological traditions. The clinical settings are based on the model of the Developing and Learning Care Unit that has a structure that supports students in their learning towards becoming nurses.

Results: Results show that structured supervision is favourable for students learning, where pair of students, space and time play a significant role. The results are illustrated in following themes: The significance of responsibility for learning, the strength and sensitivity in pairs of students, the focus on doing, the significance of the attitude of the supervisor, the vulnerability and potential of the learning environment and Reflection as a possibility and a pre-requisite.

Conclusions: The study shows that the conduct of supervising in pair of students is of great importance for students’ learning and it is thus important to develop a reflective supervising approach and also knowledge of how to support students’ learning.