Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine what problems beginning students of nursing have in establishing initial patient communication. A questionnaire was utilized to obtain the data.
The responses revealed that various feelings were experienced by the students when making the initial contact and establishing a communication with the patient. In most of the beginning contacts the students felt confident and at ease. Immediately following the initial contact the responses indicated that the students retained most of the positive feelings.
Some negative feelings were also experienced by the students during the initial contact. In most of these instances the students felt apprehensive. The students retained many of the negative feelings immediately following the initial contact.
There were factors noted in the responses which could be identified as indicative of a positive (successful) or negative (unsuccessful) communication. In some responses it was not determined if the communication had been positive or negative. In these instances they were classified as mixed-neutral communications.
It was noted in the responses that when the students were comfortable in a situation no problems were noted and communications were considered positive. If the students were uncomfortable in the situation problems were noted and communications were considered negative.
There were twelve main problems which the students encountered or experienced when making the initial contact. These were when the student (1) was afraid of irritating the patient who was uncomfortable, (2) did not want to disturb a very ill patient, (3) did not desire to communicate with a demanding patient, (4) was uncomfortable and reluctant to be with a complaining patient, (5) felt inadequate and resentful when the patient was unappreciative, (6) was unable to relax because of the patient's age, (7) uncomfortable and afraid because the patient was unpleasant, (8) could not handle the situation or say the correct thing when the patient felt sorry for himself, (9) was embarrassed because the patient discussed his personal problems, (1) did not wish to appear inadequate or uninformed, (11) did not like the patient, and (12) concentrated on procedures because of insecurity in nursing knowledge or skills.
LLU Discipline
Nursing
Department
Nursing
School
Graduate Studies
First Advisor
Anabelle Mills
Second Advisor
R. Maureen Maxwell
Third Advisor
Howard Foster Maxon
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Degree Level
M.S.
Year Degree Awarded
1962
Date (Title Page)
6-1962
Language
English
Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings
Nurse-Patient Relations; Students, Nursing
Type
Thesis
Page Count
iv; 62
Digital Format
Digital Publisher
Loma Linda University Libraries
Copyright
Author
Usage Rights
This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.
Recommended Citation
Bethers, Constance J., "A Study to Help Identify Problems Sophomore Students of Nursing Have in Establishing Initial Patient Communication" (1962). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 1289.
https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1289
Collection
Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Collection Website
http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/
Repository
Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives