Nursing students' experiences with compassion, self-compassion training in the academic setting

Abstract

Background: Compassion is a core value for the professional practice of nurses, as well as a determinant of health and emotional well-being. Aim: The aim of this research was to explore the experiences of nursing students who were trained in compassion and self-compassion as part of an undergraduate nursing course. Methods: Qualitative descriptive study. Forty-four undergraduate nursing students participated. Semi-structured interviews and open-ended questions in electronic format were conducted. A thematic analysis of the data was carried out. Results: Three dimensions with several categories each have been obtained: 1) The value of communication in healthcare: a) Improved Communication Skills, b) Implications for patient care; 2) The need for a more holistic and practical pedagogical approach: a) Development of Skills through Practice, b) Ability to face difficult situations; 3) Personal impact of the “human development” training process: a) Finding purpose in the profession, b) Kindness and Self-Compassion, c) Managing thoughts and emotions. Conclusions: The results suggest the need for educational spaces that promote reflection and self-care and that integrate compassion and self-compassion into the nursing degree.