Journal of Nursing Education· 2026Q2
Nursing Students' Experiences Caring for Children With Special Needs: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study
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- Q2SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Nursing students experienced uncertainty, emotional attachment, and professional identity reconstruction when caring for children with special needs in special education settings.
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Key points
- Nursing students faced uncertainty, fear, and inadequacy during initial encounters with children with special needs.
- Students developed emotional attachments while grappling with ethical dilemmas and maintaining professional boundaries.
- Caring for these children led to a transformation and reconstruction of students' professional identities.
- The study highlights the need for enhanced educational preparation for nursing students in special education settings.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Background: Caring for children with special needs in special education settings requires effective communication, caregiving skills, and professional adaptability. Nursing students may face challenges while interacting with these children. Understanding their experiences is important for improving educational preparation and professional development. Method: This qualitative study employed an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA). Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with nursing students who completed placements in special education settings. Data were analyzed according to IPA principles. Results: Three themes emerged: encountering uncertainty and initial shock, being caught between closeness and distance, and being transformed: reconstructing professional identity. Students described uncertainty, fear, and inadequacy during initial encounters, followed by emotional attachment, ethical dilemmas, and challenges in maintaining professional boundaries. Over time, these experiences contributed to understanding nursing roles. Conclusion: Caring for children with special needs shaped students' emotional experiences and professional identities, highlighting the need for improved educational preparation.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Nursing Education, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Research and TheoryNursing