Learning Through Experience: Uncovering the Needs of Nursing Students to Enhance Group Dynamics.

Background: Clinical placements are key to nursing education, offering experiential learning in the Clinical Learning Environment (CLE). Students' experiences are shaped by their context and background. In the group practicum model, a unique group dynamic naturally develops and significantly shapes...

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Publicado en:International Journal of Caring Sciences Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 31 - 43
Autores principales: Dionne Merlin, Marjolaine, Boudreau, Julie Émelie, Jessica, Aucoin, Camylle, LeBlanc
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: International Journal of Caring Sciences Jan-Apr2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Learning Through Experience: Uncovering the Needs of Nursing Students to Enhance Group Dynamics.
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          Dionne Merlin, Marjolaine
          Boudreau, Julie Émelie
          Jessica, Aucoin
          Camylle, LeBlanc
        affil: RN, PhD Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
      sug:
        subj:
          Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate Canada
          Students, Nursing, Baccalaureate Psychosocial Factors
          Education, Clinical
          Experiential Learning
          Group Dynamics
          Needs Assessment
          Student Placement
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Adult
          Canada
          Qualitative Studies
          Descriptive Research
          Focus Groups
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Purposive Sample
          Convenience Sample
          Thematic Analysis
          Audiorecording
          Student Attitudes
          Collaboration
          Social Cohesion
          Interprofessional Relations
          Clinical Supervision
          Mentorship
          Supervisors and Supervision
          Professional Competence
          Feedback
          Professional Recognition
          Attention
          Interpersonal Relations
          Emotional Regulation
          Resource Allocation
          Self-Awareness
          Stress Management
          Support, Social
          Student Assignments
          Student Orientation
          Peer Group
          Critical Thinking
          Problem Solving
          Funding Source
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Clinical placements are key to nursing education, offering experiential learning in the Clinical Learning Environment (CLE). Students' experiences are shaped by their context and background. In the group practicum model, a unique group dynamic naturally develops and significantly shapes the learning experience. Various CLE factors can influence how these group dynamics unfold. Understanding students' needs is essential to fostering effective group dynamics and ensuring meaningful, supportive learning experiences. Aims: Exploring and describing the needs of nursing students to promote the development of effective group dynamics within the context of experiential learning. Methodology: A qualitative study using interpretive description was conducted with undergraduate nursing students at a French-language university in Canada. Maximum variation purposive sampling ensured diverse clinical experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, then thematically analyzed using Miles, Huberman & Saldaña (2019) iterative framework. Analysis was supported by Dedoose software and conducted collaboratively to enhance credibility. Results: Six themes define nursing students' needs during clinical placements: fostering a sense of belonging, experiencing structured clinical supervision, mobilizing personal resources to navigate the emotional experience of clinical placement, evolving within a clinical placement structure conducive to learning, building connections with nursing staff and developing critical thinking. Conclusions: Understanding the needs of nursing students is essential for promoting effective group dynamics and building a supportive CLE, thereby enriching their learning experiences and fostering professional development. These findings underscore the importance of intentional collaboration between academic and clinical partners to create psychologically safe, well-structured learning settings. Addressing students' interpersonal and contextual needs not only supports their academic and clinical success but also contributes to the formation of compassionate and competent future nurses.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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