Drama with a focus on professional communication - A phenomenographic study.

The nursing program is intended to prepare students for future occupational life. One role for nurses in the nursing occupation includes being prepared to communicate well in various patient situations. The aim of this study was to describe variations in nursing students' conceptions of a drama workshop to practically illustrate communication in nurses' work. This qualitative study was conducted at a university in southern Sweden. Interviews with 15 nursing students were conducted and the data were analyzed using a phenomenographic approach. Four descriptive categories were identified through the analysis: 'Conceptions in relation to the development of empathy', 'Conceptions in relation to "my" learning', 'Conceptions in relation to personal development of professional identity' and 'Conceptions in relation to the understanding of applying pedagogy through drama as a method'. This study illustrates that the use of drama in nursing education can increase nursing students' understanding of professional communication relating to the care of patients. To use drama as an educational method provides opportunities to develop nurses' professional identity and professional role. Moreover, drama can act as a teaching strategy that increases the understanding of theory through practical exercises.