The Process of Internalization in Experience of Nursing Students in Adult Nursing Practicum

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the process of internalization of nursing students during clinical training. Data used for the analysis was the description of reports submitted by students who were able to find the meaning through the experiences in clinical training. Data were analyzed by Modified Grounded Theory Approach. The storyline was described as follows：The students experienced “goal-setting” before clinical training. At the first phase of clinical training, the students experienced “trying to know the phenomena in patients”, and “confusing to involve in patients”. In the above-mentioned process, the students experienced “realizing own immaturity”. Additionally, the students came to show “utilizing knowledge” and “thinking in action for the patient”, and then, the students experienced “the sense of achievement”. At the final phase of clinical training, the students experienced situations such as “knowing patient’s nature”,“deepening the relationship with a patient”, and “deepening the concern about a patient”. After the clinical training, the students experienced “deepening the internal intellect”. As characteristics of the students reaching internalization, it was considered that the students have deepened their experiences through intellectual activities such as thinking, considering, and it was suggested that the students should acquire reflection skills by nursing education.