Student internship experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

This paper reports about what nursing students from a Dutch Christian university experience in this corona period during their internship and how they cope with challenges that come on their way. The aim of this study is to explore insights in student experiences offering input for reflections for all those who are involved in guidance of (Christian) nursing students in stressful situations during internships. This qualitative study was conducted by online semi structured interviews. The data reveals an impact on a professional and personal level en gives insight in the way students cope with this impact. It becomes clear that the impact is significant. Giving personal care, one of the core values of nursing, is being impeded. In general students respond to these challenges with resilience. Support of fellow nurses and personal faith helps them to cope with the challenges they were confronted with.