An investigation into the extent to which a caring environment in nursing education is provided at the North West University, Mafikeng campus

Abstract

This qualitative study used exploratory and descriptive research strategies to investigate whether or not nursing education, as presented at the North West University, Mafikeng Campus, provides a caring environment to Bachelor of Nursing Science degree students. A sample consisted of sixty seven (n=67) nursing students and made up of two groups. Both groups were at the fourth year level but in different years of their study. One group comprised of twenty seven (n=27) and another group was made up of forty (n=40) and were conveniently chosen due to their geographical availability and accessibility. A purposive sampling was also employed since both groups had been in the programme a long time and had similar characteristics therefore they had the theoretical understanding of a caring environment within the context of nursing education as a concept under investigation. This study's theoretical underpinning is grounded in interaction and caring perspectives. Data was collected through narrative sketches among 27 participants in 2005 and four focus group interview sessions conducted in 2006 among 40 participants. Their perceptions and expectations regarding a caring environment in nursing education were elicited, explored, described and analysed through an open coding data analysis process. The results which ·reached a comprehensive description were outlined and clustered as responses, themes, statements and finally summarized as categories and subcategories.