Changes and factors influencing nursing students’ perceptions of the psychological distance from their patients in adult nursing practicums

Abstract

In this study, 10 undergraduate nursing students enrolled in Adult Chronic Care Nursing Practicums (3 weeks) in their third year were interviewed with the aim of identifying the students’ perceptions of psychological distance from patients and the factors that influence them.

The results showed that the perception of distance index, which represents the students’ perceptions of psychological distance from patients rated on a scale of 0 to 100 cm, decreased as the practicums progressed. However, the perception of distance index temporarily increased for some students due to changes in patient conditions, patient changes during the course of their practicums, and confusion about the actions to take as a trainee but subsequently decreased again as the practicums progressed.

A qualitative descriptive analysis of the students' narratives revealed that the following factors influenced the students' perceptions of psychological distance: “psychological barriers to a practicum”“ the feeling that one can make it through” at the beginning of the practicum, “efforts to establish a good supportive relationship” and “conflicts regarding relationships with patients” in the first and second weeks of the practicums and “building new relationships” in the third week of the practicums. Nursing teachers need to provide practical guidance based on these influencing factors.