Perceptions and Representations of Senior Nursing Students about the Transition to Professional Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cidália Castro, Ricardo Antunes, Júlio Belo Fernandes, João Reisinho, Rita Rodrigues, João Sardinha, Célia Vaz, Luís Miranda and Aida Simões
Additional contact information
Cidália Castro: Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
Ricardo Antunes: Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
Júlio Belo Fernandes: Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
João Reisinho: Centro Hospitalar Barreiro Montijo, 2830-003 Barreiro, Portugal
Rita Rodrigues: Centro Hospitalar Barreiro Montijo, 2830-003 Barreiro, Portugal
João Sardinha: Centro Hospitalar Barreiro Montijo, 2830-003 Barreiro, Portugal
Célia Vaz: Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
Luís Miranda: Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
Aida Simões: Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in education systems worldwide. The suspension of face-to-face lectures and clinical placements directly impacted nursing students’ learning. This study aimed to identify the perceptions and representations of senior nursing students about the transition to professional life during the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study used a web-based survey from a convenience sample of 162 senior nursing students, from nine different nursing schools. Data collection was carried out in the second quarter of 2020. Male students have more negative representations related to training ( p = 0.048); working students have a better perspective of professional integration ( p = 0.038); students who are in a relationship have a more positive perception of interaction with patients ( p = 0.047); those who have already defined a service of choice have less insecurity and less fear of making mistakes ( p = 0.043). Those who report anxiety about their first place of work have more negative representations about the future in other professional dimensions. The COVID-19 pandemic represents a frequent concern among students. However, it is a dimension that does not negatively contaminate other representations about the professional future. Overall, students showed concerns regarding their performance in providing direct care to the patient and lived up to their fellow nurses’ expectations.

Keywords: students; nursing; perception; student experience; transition to professional life; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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