The Views of Students Completing Continuing Education of Family Health Nursing

Abstract

Aim:

The purpose of the study was to describe the views of post-basic students participating in the continuing education of family health nursing.

Background:

The research was a part of WHO's family health nursing project, which aimed at deepening the family health nursing skills of registered nurses. In Finland, these studies were realised at two Universities of Applied Sciences in three study groups.

Methods:

The data was comprised of students' written documents prepared at different stages of the studies. The data was analysed by using content analysis.

Findings:

Family health nursing was seen as the responsibility of the individual in nursing, the participation of family members in the care, interaction and cooperation with the family and empowering the family. These subcategories were categorised and reviewed in the light of the levels of family health nursing. They were family as a context, as a sum of its parts, as a subsystem and as a client. Students' views changed during the education from one of emphasising the individual to a more expansive view of the family.

Conclusion:

The continuing education of family health nursing increased students'theoretical knowledge and readiness to encounter the family.