THE EXPERIENCE OF NURSING STUDENT FAILURE AND SUCCESS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INQUIRY

Abstract

Abstract Associate degree nursing programs are the primary avenues for basic nursing education in the nation. Nursing schools thought out the United States are concerned about retaining students and have implemented various strategies to increase retention. Because of the current and projected nursing shortage, it is imperative that nursing schools graduate as many of the students that are admitted as possible. However, there is no current research exploring the experiences of associate degree nursing students who have faced and lived through nursing student failure and success. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of nursing students who had failed a clinical nursing course in an associate degree nursing program and returned to graduate, and become RN's. A qualitative design using methods of Heideggerian hermeneutical phenomenology was used to discover and identify four themes: 1. Suffering the Loss; 2. Creating a Purposeful Plan for Renewal; 3. Searching for Support and Human Understanding; and 4. Transforming and Integrating the Experience. Conclusions and recommendations will help guide faculty in working with returning students in ways that are supportive and caring. Recommendations also highlight ways that nursing programs can support students to enhance chances for success.