What are reasonable expectations? Healthcare student perceptions of their programmes in the North West of England

Hamshire, Claire; Willgoss, Thomas G.; Wibberley, Christopher

Abstract

Background
Concerns about current levels of attrition from some healthcare programmes have emphasised the need to gain a greater insight into students' expectations and experiences.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to determine how students in the North West of England perceived their studies and to identify the factors that could contribute to students' dissatisfaction.

Design
A mixed methods sequential exploratory study.

Settings
Nine universities in the North West of England.

Methods
Phase one used narrative interviews with a purposive sample of 24 students to investigate their expectations and experiences. Data from these interviews were analysed using a thematic framework and direct quotes from key themes were incorporated into online survey for phase 2. Survey respondents were asked to rate their agreement to statements on a four-point Likert-type response format. There was also an opportunity to leave comments through open questions relating to each theme.

Results
A total of 1080 respondents completed the online survey in phase 2. The majority of students reported positive experiences of their course. There was strong agreement in the importance of the role of the personal tutor and of a supportive placement mentor. Some students indicated that the workload and academic level were a shock at first. Students identified difficulties around the cost of placement travel and the impact of placements on family life. Financial hardship was a frequently cited issue that students attributed to thoughts of discontinuation.

Conclusions
Most students had positive learning experiences which meet their expectations. Students who have unmet expectations report poor placement experiences, lack of support, unexpectedly high workloads and financial difficulties. Clear guidance on the role of personal tutor and placement mentor is recommended.

Citation

Hamshire, C., Willgoss, T. G., & Wibberley, C. (2013). What are reasonable expectations? Healthcare student perceptions of their programmes in the North West of England. Nurse Education Today, 33(2), 173-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2012.02.014

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 27, 2012
• Online Publication Date: Mar 21, 2012
• Publication Date: 2013-02
• Deposit Date: May 29, 2024
• Journal: Nurse Education Today
• Print ISSN: 0260-6917
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 173-179
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2012.02.014