Student perceptions of faculty caring : a descriptive survey study of nursing students in a four year generic baccalaureate program
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Date
1998
Authors
Hartley, Lynda J.
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1998
Abstract
Researchers exploring the role of caring in nursing
education have focused attention on the importance of
instructor caring as a fundamental component of the studentinstructor
relationship. The literature supports the need to
study student perception of faculty caring and to identify
instructor caring and uncaring behaviours in order to enable
students to develop professional care practices.
A descriptive study was conducted at a Canadian college
with a collaborative four year generic baccalaureate nursing
program in order to determine student perceptions of faculty
caring and the extent to which instructors are perceived as
demonstrating caring qualities in their relationships with
these students. By means of a survey comprising three
questions and a semantic differential rating scale developed
by Golden (1993), 27 students were asked to rate faculty
caring, determine its importance, and describe the most and
least caring behaviours demonstrated by this faculty.
The faculty was rated as highly caring and demonstrating
all 16 of the caring attributes defined by Golden's tool.
Students also identified "available" and "unavailable" as
important to their perceptions of instructor caring and
uncaring. These were not included in Golden's tool which
suggests that it may be incomplete and not inclusive of all
instructor behaviours identified as important by students. Instructor caring was rated as highly important. Four
dominant themes and one sub-theme revealed that students
perceive instructor caring as having, a significant impact on
their learning, motivation, confidence and sense of support.
As well, they feel that instructors should be role models of
caring.
The findings provide significant information for this
particular faculty and cannot be generalized to a larger
population. Faculty growth and development of caring
behaviours and practices can be facilitated by the knowledge
and insights generated by this study.
Description
ix, 85 leaves ; 28 cm. --
Keywords
Nursing students -- Attitudes , Nursing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Evaluation