The Nursing Student in Clinical Learning: Qualitative Study of the Decision Making Typology

Abstract

Decision making is a fundamental competency of Nursing. The learning of decision making competence has emerged as an area in development of nursing education, implying, among other aspects, reflection. A privileged moment for learning these competencies, is clinical teaching, enabling the student to construct professional knowledge, situated in context. In order to comprehend the types of decision making of nursing students in clinical education, the method chosen was a qualitative study, of exploratory and descriptive nature, with data collected through documental analysis of the learning journals written in clinical settings, by the finalist nursing students. The content analysis was performed according to Bardin through the software webQDA®. They were 31 students participating in the study, producing 31 learning journals, all were attending the Clinical learning course-Caring for Clients with Increased Vulnerability and Families in Transition. Of the 143 record units identified, the Intervention Decision obtained 63 record units, the Decision of Experimental Understanding 41 record units, the Communication Decision had 24 record units, Service organization, Delivery and Management Decision, 10 record units, and the Timing Decision and Targeting Decision, 3 and 2 record units, respectively. The conclusion was that students seem to make more decisions related to action, understanding of the care situation and communication with the client. With this study we understand the typology of the decision making of the nursing students in order to enhance their learning in nursing education. The knowledge that emerged from the interpretation, comparison and synthesis of the learning journals, was only possible through the 'reading' of the narratives, and the use qualitative methodology.