Examining first-semester nursing students' perceptions about their experience transitioning to nursing courses: a qualitative study

Nursing education is vital to providing high quality health care to the community. Transitioning from prerequisite classes to nursing classes can be very stressful for some students. The study sought to understand the experience, examine challenges, and recognize the support provided for first semester nursing students as they transition to nursing classes in a four-year university program. Determining the challenges and recognizing the support for a first-semester nursing student may assist faculty in developing nursing course curriculums that will meet their needs as adult learners. A phenomenological approach was used in the dissertation research using a Qualtrics survey and interviews. Results identified primary positive influences of support and resources as well as clinical, simulation and personal issues. Themes of positive influences were support and resources. Themes of time management, personal issues, and lack of faculty support were reported as challenges during the transition to nursing classes. Recommendations based on the study results are to encourage nursing faculty to consider positive influences and challenges nursing students experience during this transition and build curricula to support the students.