Experienced career perspectives of nursing students and their supervisors in learning departments: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Focus is needed on positive work environments and the retention of nurses due to the nursing shortage. Sufficient and attractive internships for students need to be ensured. In order to provide more space learning departments were developed, which are characterized by a buddy system, supervisors coach at least two students during a shift. Gaining knowledge about career perspectives is essential since it is associated with job satisfaction. Improving job satisfaction and career opportunities will contribute to quality and safety of care and will support lifelong learning.

Aim: Current study aimed to investigate how nurses and nursing students working in learning departments experience requirements for career opportunities.

Method: Using a generic qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted through videocalls between March and April 2021 in the Netherlands. Inductive qualitative analysis based on ‘The Data Analysis Spiral’ was used.

Results: Career perspective is explored among six students and seven nurses. Results show career perspective is experienced differently. For students, requirements to experience career perspective seems largely existing, as learning departments fits with personal goals, increases self-efficacy and provides close mentoring. Students felt well prepared for the future. Nurses’ career perspectives varied from wanting more personal development to experiencing opportunities due to having great colleagues, a challenging patient category, satisfaction from sharing knowledge and a decreasing physical workload. Nurses who had affinity with coaching students experience more career perspective on learning departments.

Conclusion: Interviews provided in-depth insights within five themes. Requirements to experience career perspective seems partially existing for nurses and students in learning departments.

Implications: The results can be used by nursing supervisors, teachers and policymakers to optimize nurses’ work environment, to eliminate leave intentions and improve quality of patientcare. Future research is recommended to investigate which tools/interventions are effective for nurses and other healthcare professionals to support career guidance.