Useful Learning From Bachelor's Thesis to Professional Nursing Practice: A Qualitative Interview Study

Introduction It is well-established in research that clinical learning during nursing education is a foundational preparation for future practice. However, the role of academic tasks, such as writing a bachelor's thesis, is less recognized for its contributions to nurses’ working lives and over...

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Main Authors: Ani Henttonen RN, PhD, Marianne Teräs RN, PHN, M Health Sc, PhD, Max Scheja PhD, Bjöörn Fossum RN, PhD, Margareta Westerbotn RN, RM, MSN Ed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:SAGE Open Nursing
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608251317111
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author Ani Henttonen RN, PhD
Marianne Teräs RN, PHN, M Health Sc, PhD
Max Scheja PhD
Bjöörn Fossum RN, PhD
Margareta Westerbotn RN, RM, MSN Ed
author_facet Ani Henttonen RN, PhD
Marianne Teräs RN, PHN, M Health Sc, PhD
Max Scheja PhD
Bjöörn Fossum RN, PhD
Margareta Westerbotn RN, RM, MSN Ed
author_sort Ani Henttonen RN, PhD
collection DOAJ
description Introduction It is well-established in research that clinical learning during nursing education is a foundational preparation for future practice. However, the role of academic tasks, such as writing a bachelor's thesis, is less recognized for its contributions to nurses’ working lives and overall professional development. Objective This study aimed to explore registered nurses’ perceptions of the process of bachelor's thesis and its perceived usefulness in professional nursing careers. Methods Semistructured interviews with ten registered nurses was employed. A thematic analysis of the data and the framework of sustainable learning were used. Results The findings showed that the process of writing a bachelor's thesis during nursing education was perceived as a valuable learning experience and a source of continuing development. The main themes, professional knowing and professional agency, demonstrate the knowing applied in the healthcare contexts and for understanding nurse-patient relationships. The nurses stated that professional agency in research dissemination and a critical approach in their daily patient care was important and that the bachelor's thesis had provided a foundation for these practices. Conclusion Writing a bachelor's thesis during nursing education is justified as it may contribute to a critical understanding of nursing phenomena and the care taking place in clinical contexts. Bachelor's theses align with sustainable learning and are one of the prerequisites for readiness for change and development in professional practice.
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spelling doaj-art-f6f4aa8f51c34a608211e2a02b4e0d852025-01-29T13:04:04ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open Nursing2377-96082025-01-011110.1177/23779608251317111Useful Learning From Bachelor's Thesis to Professional Nursing Practice: A Qualitative Interview StudyAni Henttonen RN, PhD0Marianne Teräs RN, PHN, M Health Sc, PhD1Max Scheja PhD2Bjöörn Fossum RN, PhD3Margareta Westerbotn RN, RM, MSN Ed4 Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, , Stockholm, Sweden Department of Education, , Stockholm, Sweden Department of Education, , Stockholm, Sweden Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, , Stockholm, Sweden Department of Nursing Science, , Stockholm, SwedenIntroduction It is well-established in research that clinical learning during nursing education is a foundational preparation for future practice. However, the role of academic tasks, such as writing a bachelor's thesis, is less recognized for its contributions to nurses’ working lives and overall professional development. Objective This study aimed to explore registered nurses’ perceptions of the process of bachelor's thesis and its perceived usefulness in professional nursing careers. Methods Semistructured interviews with ten registered nurses was employed. A thematic analysis of the data and the framework of sustainable learning were used. Results The findings showed that the process of writing a bachelor's thesis during nursing education was perceived as a valuable learning experience and a source of continuing development. The main themes, professional knowing and professional agency, demonstrate the knowing applied in the healthcare contexts and for understanding nurse-patient relationships. The nurses stated that professional agency in research dissemination and a critical approach in their daily patient care was important and that the bachelor's thesis had provided a foundation for these practices. Conclusion Writing a bachelor's thesis during nursing education is justified as it may contribute to a critical understanding of nursing phenomena and the care taking place in clinical contexts. Bachelor's theses align with sustainable learning and are one of the prerequisites for readiness for change and development in professional practice.https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608251317111
spellingShingle Ani Henttonen RN, PhD
Marianne Teräs RN, PHN, M Health Sc, PhD
Max Scheja PhD
Bjöörn Fossum RN, PhD
Margareta Westerbotn RN, RM, MSN Ed
Useful Learning From Bachelor's Thesis to Professional Nursing Practice: A Qualitative Interview Study
SAGE Open Nursing
title Useful Learning From Bachelor's Thesis to Professional Nursing Practice: A Qualitative Interview Study
title_full Useful Learning From Bachelor's Thesis to Professional Nursing Practice: A Qualitative Interview Study
title_fullStr Useful Learning From Bachelor's Thesis to Professional Nursing Practice: A Qualitative Interview Study
title_full_unstemmed Useful Learning From Bachelor's Thesis to Professional Nursing Practice: A Qualitative Interview Study
title_short Useful Learning From Bachelor's Thesis to Professional Nursing Practice: A Qualitative Interview Study
title_sort useful learning from bachelor s thesis to professional nursing practice a qualitative interview study
url https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608251317111
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