The Learning Experience of Graduate Nursing Students: Content Analysis

Learning is also considered as an important which can create changes in individuals’ knowledge, attitude, values, and feelings. As learning requires a new conceptual framework where one can take decisions in which change and innovation manifests, it is evident that this conceptual realization is only possible through a qualitative research. The present study aims to explore and justify graduate nursing students’ learning experience.The present study is a conventional qualitative content analysis research which was conducted in 27 graduate nursing students studying in Guilan university of Medical sciences in Iran. The study population was selected through purposive sampling, and the data was gathered through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed as per the stages recommended by Graneheim & Lundman. Data strength and their scientific accuracy were evaluated, and ethical aspects of the research were also taken into consideration. Data analysis results were identified as three main themes and 10 subthemes which were named as per their nature:“effective learning,”: learning from a qualified instructor, accessible equipment and resources, awareness of teaching objectives / “Effective learning strategies”: pre-requisite knowledge before attending the class, participating educational workshops, joining group discussions, taking shorthand at home and in the class / “Decline in learning”: the difference in learners’ knowledge background, recurring lesson subjects, inappropriate time and place for learning. Graduate nursing students’ experience confirmed the necessity for provision of a proper educational framework as well as decreasing or removing the factors causing the decline in learning for the purpose of improving the quality of education at universities.