Nursing Students' Perceptions of Caring: A Qualitative Approach

Caring represents an essential human need and, although it is difficult to define and is not unique to nursing, it is supported that it is central to nursing. The current study aims to explore nursing students' perception of caring and provide useful information for nursing education. A qualitative approach was used. Questionnaires were distributed to students of all four study years of a Nursing Department of a Cypriot University. Data were analysed by content analysis. Participants provided a description of their perception of caring which included the meaning of care as help, offer, heath maintenance, disease prevention and health promotion, provision of services as well as, biological and psychological support. Clarifying the meaning of caring can contribute to better provision of nursing care. Therefore, educators may use the results of the current study in order to find the proper interventions in education, which should include not only the theoretical background, but also the professional tools, which will help students to care in clinical practice.