Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Education

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

First Advisor

Sarah Koplow

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2021

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2021

Abstract

First generation college students (FGCS) have a multitude of responsibilities both academic and personal. Most nursing programs are challenging and may result in not every student passing the preset nursing curricula. Consider being a FGCS who is eagerly pursuing a nursing degree but fails to meet matriculation. For those FGCS in nursing who, choose to repeat the nursing courses and are more successful, demonstrate resilience or a drive to rise above adversity. The aim of the study was to explore the FGCS in nursing ability to push through and be resilient when repeating a failed nursing course. The “push through” framework offered insight into the nursing students’ understanding and enactment of resilience when obstacles occurred. An interpretative phenomenological approach was used to understand the meaning of human existence and not just describe. The participants stated the causes of their disengagement from the nursing course, why they stayed and repeated, and how they maintained self-control throughout the experience. The participants acknowledged their transformation and offered advice to others about this experience. Resilience is an important concept for both nurse educators and nursing students to understand to manage the challenges and stressors in higher education. Nurses are presented with unique challenges in the health care environment and with resilience, the management of these issues assists with promoting safe, competent care. The development of resilience during higher education has a positive influence on forming mature, confident practitioners. Resilience leads to nurses who think logically, are flexible, and who engage in self-reflection to manage stress.

Disciplines

Nursing

Keywords

distractions; faculty support; first generation college student; nursing course failure; resilience; self-care practices

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