J Nurs Acad Soc.  1993 Dec;23(4):544-554.

Attitudes of Nursing Students to Clinical Education: Q-Methodological Approach

• Park SJ

Abstract

The study was designed to identify the attitude of nursing students to clinical education through Q-methodology. A Q sample was developed through a review of the literature and interviews. Twenty-seven statements made up the finalized Q-sample. This was out of an initial 143 statements developed through consultation with eight professors. The P sample consisted of 25 nursing students in S Health Junior College. Q statements were written on seperate cards and were given to the 25 subjects to sort according to degree of agreement or disagreement. The Q-sorts by each subject were coded and analyzed with QUANL PC Program. The analysis discovered three major attitudes, namely "amicable adaptation" , "Nightingale . social service" , and "realistic occupation pursuit" . The correlation was .465 between type 1 and type 2, .293 between type 1 and type 3, and .273 between type 2 and type 3. The characteristics of each type were as follows; Type 1 (amicable adaptation) They satisfied in interpersonal relationships in the clinical setting. They would not dream of becoming Nightingale, but thought of nursing care affirmatively and performed their works faithfully and adapted themselves to the new circumstances easily. Fourteen subjects were classified as type 1. Type 2 (Nightingale: social service) They often dreamed as a child that they would be Nightingale with a white uniform and think that nursing is a gift from heaven. They have an aptitude for nursing care bv nature and selected nursing science themselves. They give care to the sick with pleasure. Seven subjects were classified as type 2. Type 3 (realistic occupation pursuit) They were not satisfied with their nursing practice. First of all they want a stable job, therefore they selected nursing science. They had conflicts in clinical practice, but were responsible for nursing and studied hard. Four subjects were classified as type 3. Through the results of this study, the attitude of nursing students to clinical education could be classified into three types. Therefore it is suggested that clinical education would be more valuable, if it was planned according to an understanding of the attitudes of nursing students to clinical education.

MeSH Terms

Aptitude
Child
Education*
Humans
Nursing Care
Nursing*
Occupations
Pleasure
Q-Sort
Students, Nursing*