Making sense of praxis within an evolving clinical context: A grounded theory of nursing student learning transfer.

BACKGROUND

Nursing students are tasked with connecting theoretical knowledge with clinical practice to ensure patient safety and provide quality care. However, there is a distinct lack of research on nursing student learning transfer. More exploration and research are necessary to understand how nursing students apply their learning in complex and evolving clinical situations.

AIM

The objective of this study was to explore the processes and strategies nursing students use to transfer classroom learning to real-world clinical situations.

DESIGN

We utilized a classic grounded theory methodology developed by Glaser and Strauss to explore how fourth-year baccalaureate nursing students transfer classroom learning to clinical practice.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

From March 2023 to February 2024, 19 fourth-year nursing students were recruited from six undergraduate nursing programs across Alberta, Canada, ensuring that the study population provided a fair representation within the province.

METHODS

Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed through open coding, the constant comparative method, and memo writing. A core category emerged along with four related sub-categories. A substantive theory was developed through theoretical sampling, selective coding, the constant comparative method, and memo writing.

RESULTS

The research findings identified making sense of praxis as the core category, which represented the way students applied theory-to-practice connections in clinical settings. Four interconnected sub-categories were identified: experiencing the clinical environment, making it personal, recognizing connections, and working toward mastery by doing, culminating in the theory Making Sense of Praxis Within an Evolving Clinical Context.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings led to recommendations for nursing education programs, specifically nursing curriculum designers and clinical instructors, regarding the preparation of and support for nursing students in their developing clinical practice.