|
|
The readiness of students of the first grade of nurse to meet with the dying person
BOLKOVÁ, Ilona
Title: Preparation of First-Year Students of the General Nurse Field of Study for Dealing with a Dying Patient. Theoretical foundations: Vocational preparation for a career as a nurse is not among the easiest. Beside the considerably difficult theoretical courses, the students must also undergo many hours of practical training. During the training, the students deal with child, adult and elderly patients. Each patient experiences different problems; usually, the patients reach full recovery or at least a significant improvement. Unfortunately, even in these highly advanced times, medicine is not all-powerful and students often have to deal with a terminal patient, a patient who is dying. This situation is undoubtedly very complicated, especially for a young person. Death, as the final stage of a human life, both directly and indirectly influences life around us, and encountering death makes every person feel differently. The study of nursing care has recently transitioned to the university level. The undertaking of this type of qualification studies strives to establish an educational programme that is comparable to other countries of the European Union and to secure more efficient care for the sick. It is assumed that the higher age of the students and their higher maturity will facilitate a more mature perspective on the studies. The goal of this work: The principal goal of the bachelor thesis was to offer a comprehensive overview of the area of vocational preparation of first-year students of the General Nurse Field of study for dealing with a dying patient. Two research questions were established: How prepared are first-year students of the General Nurse Field of study for encountering a dying patient, what is their theoretical knowledge of the issue of dying? What is their assessment of their preparedness for dealing with a dying patient? With the help of these questions we aimed to find out whether the students encountered a dying patient during their first practical training and obtain an assessment of their current knowledge gained during the first semester at the Faculty of Health and Social Studies. Methodology used: To obtain information, a qualitative research was carried out that used non-standardized semi-structured interviews. The interviews were based on 18 research questions prepared up front. Ten first-year students of the General Nurse Field of study at the Faculty of Health and Social Studies in České Budějovice were approached. Before starting the interviews, the respondents were assured that their anonymity was guaranteed and that the interviews would be recorded on a voice recorder. Afterwards, they were placed into separate categories and subcategories. The research was carried out in March, 2014. Results: The results of the bachelor thesis show the real degree of preparedness of first-year students of the General Nurse Field of study for dealing with a dying patient. Answers to the main research questions were processed in detail in the research section, the set goal was met. The results showed that the theoretical knowledge of the students has significant shortcomings. Most of them lack a basic understanding of the stages of dying, of certain and uncertain signs of death and of taking care of a dead body. Nor are they sufficiently prepared for communication with a terminal patient and his or her family. Acquiring these skills should be a matter of course for exercising the profession of a nurse. Yet, the majority of the students stated that they find their training sufficient and that they consider its extension unnecessary. Most of them think that they will learn the right approach towards a dying patient while carrying out their duties and from their own experience; nonetheless, it is certainly worth considering whether it would be desirable to at least partially expand the scope of education in this particular area. Conclusion: The principal benefit of the bachelor thesis
|
guest ::
