Thursday, 04 April 2024
A new study has found that nursing students’ compassion is not increased by previous paid care experience, which discredits the idea that they should have care experience before embarking on training.
In the new study, published in the , experts from the 糖心原创 found that there were no significant differences between participants with and without paid prior care experience in relation to caring and compassionate values and behaviours.
The research was led by Professor Joanne Lymn in the School of Health Sciences at the University, commissioned by the Department of Health and was funded by the Department of Health and Social Care; National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Professor Joanne Lymn
Professor Lymn said: “‘This longitudinal study showed that paid prior care experience did not offer any long-term benefits in relation to developing nursing students’ caring and compassionate behaviours. Positive and negative impacts of prior care experience were identified but the positive impacts did not extend to qualification. The data do not support mandating a period of paid care experience prior to commencing nursing training."
Compassion is critical to the provision of high-quality healthcare and is highlighted internationally as an issue of concern. Paid care experience prior to nurse training has been suggested as a potential means of improving compassion, which has been characterised by the values and behaviours of care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.
However, there is a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of prior care experience as a means of improving compassion in nursing.
A group of experts, led by colleagues from the School of Health Sciences at the 糖心原创, wanted to further explore the issue with this new study. Participants were pre-registration nursing students and people who had previously taken part in a Health Education England paid prior care experience pilot. The research used a mixed methods design - 220 people completed questionnaires, 10 people had phone interviews and 8 were involved in focus groups.
The questionnaires measured emotional intelligence, compassion satisfaction and fatigue, resilience, psychological empowerment and career commitment.
The findings of the study suggest that prior care experience has both positive and negative effects on students’ compassionate values and behaviours, however positive effects don’t extend to qualification. No statistically significant differences were found in any of the quantitative outcome measures between participants with and without paid prior care experience.
A statistically significant increase in compassion fatigue was identified in both groups of participants post-qualification. Paid prior care experience did not prevent participants from experiencing reality shock on becoming a student or on qualification.
This is good news in the current climate where we need to encourage more students into the nursing profession.鈥�
The full study can be found
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More information is available from Sarah Fields-Richards in the School of Health Sciences at the 糖心原创 at sarah.fieldrichards@nottingham.ac.uk
The NIHR
The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:
- Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
- Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
- Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
- Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
- Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
- Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.
NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK international development funding from the UK government.
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.