0000000000020167

AUTHOR

Bjørg Dale

The Transition from Hospital to Home: Older People's Experiences

The amount of older patients who are discharged from hospitals while continuing to need care is increasing in Norway. The transition between different care services has the potential for high rates of medication errors, incomplete or inaccurate information transfer, and lack of appropriate follow-up care. Thus, insight into the transition process is vital to understanding the complexity and vulnerability the patients are exposed to in this process. The aim of this phenomenological hermeneutic study was to describe and illuminate the lived experiences of older home residents during the transitions from hospital to home. Data were collected through narrative interviews, and an interpretation …

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Formal and informal care in relation to activities of daily living and self-perceived health among older care-dependent individuals in Norway

Background.  Research about formal care of older home-dwelling people in the Nordic countries is comprehensive, while research on informal care has been less inclusive. Aim.  To describe self-reported activities of daily living and perceived health, and to relate them to amount and types of formal and informal care received by a group of care-dependent, home-dwelling older individuals in Norway. Design and methods.  A sample consisting of 242 persons aged 75+ years receiving home nursing services. Data were collected by means of structured interviews with questions about activities of daily living (ADL), amount and types of formal and informal care and demographic variables. Descriptive sta…

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Administration of care to older patients in transition from hospital to home care services: home nursing leaders' experiences

Bjørg Dale,1 Sigrun Hvalvik21Centre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, 2Centre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Telemark University College, Porsgrunn, NorwayBackground: Older persons in transition between hospital and home care services are in a particularly vulnerable situation and risk unfortunate consequences caused by organizational inefficiency. The purpose of the study reported here was to elucidate how home nursing leaders experience the administration of care to older people in transition from hospital to their own homes.Methods: A qual…

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Psychometric properties of Antonovsky's 29-item Sense of Coherence scale in research on older home-dwelling Norwegians.

Aim: The aim of this study was to test the homogeneity and construct validity of the Sense of Coherence 29-item scale (SOC-29) among older home-dwelling Norwegians. Methods: A postal questionnaire, consisting of background variables, five health-related questions, the SOC-29, and three other instruments measuring mental health, self-care ability, and risk for undernutrition, was sent to 6033 home-dwelling older people (65+ years) in southern Norway. A total of 2069 participants were included. Homogeneity was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and item-to-total correlations. The construct validity was assessed with “the known-groups technique,” a linear stepwise regression analysis …

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Nurses' Experiences of Caring for Older Persons in Transition to Receive Homecare: Being Somewhere in between Competing Values

Older persons in transition to need professional care in their homes will constitute a large group in municipalities in the future. The aim of this study was to obtain insight into nurses' experiences and perceptions of caring for patients in transition to receive homecare. Eleven home nurses divided into two focus groups were interviewed, and a phenomenological hermeneutical design was used. Four interpretations closely related to each other were revealed: it is essential to have an understanding of the patients' transition history; the nurse' repertoire is challenged in the transition process; care must be adapted to the patients' life world; the excellence of care is threatened by the co…

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What matters to older adults? Exploring person‐centred care during and after transitions between hospital and home

Aims and objectives To explore person-centred care provided to a group of older adults (65+) by understanding their experiences of care received, their participation in care and what matters to them during and after the transition process between hospital and home. Background Although facilitating person-centred care (PCC) has gained increasing importance globally over the last few decades, its practical implementation has been challenging. This has caused difficulties in determining its core elements and best practices. Person-centred care aims to deliver healthcare services based on individuals' preferences. Several approaches have been developed to better implement person-centred care pr…

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Administration of care to older patients in transition from hospital to home care services: Home nursing leaders' experiences

Published version of an article in the journal: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. Also available from the Publisher at: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S51947 Open access Background: Older persons in transition between hospital and home care services are in a particularly vulnerable situation and risk unfortunate consequences caused by organizational inefficiency. The purpose of the study reported here was to elucidate how home nursing leaders experience the administration of care to older people in transition from hospital to their own homes. Methods: A qualitative study design was used. Ten home nursing leaders in two municipalities in southern Norway participated in individual inte…

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Testing reliability and validity of Lorensen’s Self-care Capability Scale (LSCS) among older home-living, care-dependent individuals in Norway

dale b., saevareid h. i., soderhamn o. (2013) Testing reliability and validity of Lorensen’s Self-care Capability Scale (LSCS) among older home-living, care-dependent individuals in Norway. International Journal of Older People Nursing 8, 166–173 doi: 10.1111/j.1748-3743.2012.00339.x Aim and objective.  The aim of this study was to test reliability and validity of the Lorensen’s Self-Care Capability Scale (LSCS). Background.  The assessment of self-care capability among older people living at home is essential for maintaining independence for as long as possible. Method.  The study sample consisted of 242 home nursing patients who were 75 + years old and living at home. The responsible home…

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Psychometric testing of the Norwegian version of the questionnaire Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit (FS-ICU-24)

Bjørg Dale,1 Gro Frivold2 1Centre for Caring Research, Southern Norway, University of Agder, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Grimstad, Norway; 2University of Agder, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Grimstad, Norway Introduction: The questionnaire, Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit (FS-ICU-24), was developed to assess relatives’ satisfaction with care and involvement in decision-making processes when a close family member stays in the ICU Aim: This study was aimed at describing the translation and exploring the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the questionnaire. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional survey. After trans…

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The meaning of actualization of self-care resources among a group of older home-dwelling people—A hermeneutic study

Self-care is an activity of mature persons who have developed their abilities to take care of themselves. Individuals can choose to actualize their self-care abilities into self-care activities to maintain, restore, or improve health and well-being. It is of importance to understand the meaning of the actualization of self-care resources among older people. The aim of this study was to investigate the meaning of the actualization of self-care resources, i.e., actions taken to improve, maintain, or restore health and well-being, among a group of older home-dwelling individuals with a high sense of coherence. The design of this study was to reanalyse narratives revealing self-care activities …

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<p>Systematic Use of Song and Music in Dementia Care: Health Care Providers’ Experiences</p>

Background and aim Using song and music in a systematic way in residential dementia care may have several positive impacts on the patients, as well as the care providers. The aim of this study was to explore how health care providers experienced taking responsibility for conducting a song and music program in dementia care in nursing homes. Methods An explorative, qualitative study design was used. Focus groups were formed by 17 health care providers from 3 different nursing homes. These providers had experience implementing and using the "Gjenklang" ("reverberation") song and music program especially developed for people with dementia. Focus group interviews were transcribed verbatim, and …

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Life situation and identity among single older home-living people: A phenomenologicalhermeneutic study

Being able to continue living in their own home as long as possible is the general preference for many older people, and this is also in line with the public policy in the Nordic countries. The aim of this study was to elucidate the meaning of self-care and health for perception of life situation and identity among single-living older individuals in rural areas in southern Norway. Eleven older persons with a mean age of 78 years were interviewed and encouraged to narrate their self-care and health experiences. The interviews were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic method inspired by the philosophy of Ricoeur. The findings are presented as a n…

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Family members' satisfaction with care and decision-making in intensive care units and post-stay follow-up needs-a cross-sectional survey study.

Aim The aim of this study was to explore family members' satisfaction with care and decision-making during the intensive care units stay and their follow-up needs after the patient's discharge or death. Design A cross-sectional survey study was conducted. Methods Family members of patients recently treated in an ICU were participating. The questionnaire contented of background variables, the instrument Family Satisfaction in ICU (FS-ICU 24) and questions about follow-up needs. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics and a multiple linear regression were used in the analysis. Results A total of 123 (47%) relatives returned the questionnaire. Satisfaction with care was higher scored than sa…

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Implementing a new pedagogy in the nursing curriculum: Bachelor students’ evaluation

Background: Inspired by the work of Benner and colleagues at Carnegie Foundation, a new course in nursing was implemented in the first study year’s curriculum in the bachelor program in nursing. The new nursing course included a shift from a lecture-only classroom based approach to a problem-based and case-based approach. Reflections and discussions in groups with fellow students and supervisors was the main activity. The aim of this study was to examine how the students experienced the new nursing course.Methods: The survey study was conducted at a university in southern Norwegian. The sample consisted of students in two subsequent classes (n = 126 and n = 118), who had followed the new st…

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Exploring nursing competence to care for older patients in municipal in‐patient acute care: A qualitative study

Aim To identify critical aspects of nursing competence to care for older patients in the context of municipal in-patient acute care. Background An increasingly complex and advanced primary healthcare system requires attention to the extent of nursing competence in municipal services. However, competence in complex and advanced care settings must be explored using perspectives which acknowledge the complexity of nurses' performance. Design A phenomenological hermeneutic, qualitative approach with individual in-depth interviews was used. COREQ reporting guidelines have been applied. Methods A sample of eight nurses and two physicians employed in municipal in-patient acute care units (MAUs) we…

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<p>Testing Measurement Properties of the Norwegian Version of Electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS) in a Group of Day Surgery Patients</p>

Background and aim In order to assess patients' ability to search, understand, and benefit from Internet-based information, several screening tools have been developed. One of these tools, which has been widely used, is the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). The aim of this study was to examine the measurement properties of the Norwegian version of the eHEALS, as it was used in a group of patients undergoing day surgery. Methods A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 119 patients scheduled for day surgical treatment in a Norwegian hospital. The questionnaire included the screening tool eHEALS, which contains 8 items for assessing a person's information awareness skills, informatio…

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Self-care ability among home-dwelling older people in rural areas in southern Norway

Results: A total of 780 persons were found to have higher self-care ability and 240 to have lower self-care ability using the Self-care Ability Scale for the Elderly. Self-care ability was found to be closely related to health-related issues, self-care agency, sense of coherence, nutritional state and mental health, former profession, and type of dwelling. Predictors for high self-care ability were to have higher self-care agency, not receiving family help, having low risk for undernutrition, not perceiving helplessness, being able to prepare food, being active and having lower age. Conclusions: When self-care ability is reduced in older people, caregivers have to be aware about how this ca…

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Who often feels lonely? A cross-sectional study about loneliness and its related factors among older home-dwelling people.

Aim and objectives To investigate the prevalence of individuals who often feel lonely among a sample of Norwegian older home-dwelling people aged ≥65 years old, as well as to identify any possible factors explaining their loneliness. Background Loneliness is known to be common among older people. To identify those older adults who are lonely, and to acquire knowledge about the complexity of their loneliness, is important to provide them with adequate help and support. Design This study employed a cross-sectional design. Method A questionnaire was mailed to a randomised sample of 6,033 older home-dwelling persons aged ≥65 years. A total of 2,052 persons returned the questionnaire and were in…

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Testing and using Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire: Mental health in relation to home nursing, home help, and family care among older, care-dependent individuals

The aims of this study were to test the Norwegian version of Goldberg's 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) in a group of older, care-dependent individuals living at home; to describe self-reported mental health; and to relate mental health to receiving home nursing, home help, and family care. A sample of 234 home nursing patients in Norway aged 75 years and older was interviewed. Mental state was assessed using the GHQ-30. Reliability and validity were calculated with Spearman's rank correlations, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and Mann-Whitney U-test. The factor analysis was performed using the principal components analysis with varimax rotation and Kaiser normalization. Demogra…

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Narrated lived experiences of self-care and health among rural-living older persons with a strong sense of coherence.

Ulrika Söderhamn, Bjørg Dale, Olle SöderhamnFaculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Centre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Grimstad, NorwayAbstract: Sense of coherence (SOC), with its components comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness, is a major factor in the ability to cope successfully with stressors and is closely related to health. Qualitative studies related to SOC are scarce, and in this phenomenological interview study, self-care is investigated in relation to SOC. The aim of this study was to describe the lived experiences of self-care and features that may influence health and self-care among older home-…

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Nursing staff interactions during the older residents' transition into long-term care facility in a nursing home in rural Norway: an ethnographic study

Background: Future challenges in many countries are the recruitment of competent staff in long-term care facilities, and the use of unlicensed staff. Our study describes and explores staff interactions in a long-term care facility, which may facilitate or impede healthy transition processes for older residents in transition. Methods: An ethnographic study based on fieldwork following ten older residents admission day and their initial week in the long-term care facility, seventeen individual semi-structured interviews with different nursing staff categories and the leader of the institution, and reading of relevant documents. Results: The interaction among all staff categories influenced th…

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Older home nursing patients’ perception of social provisions and received care

Social loneliness and isolation may be some of the consequences that older people experience regarding age-related changes and losses, and nurses should be engaged in identifying social networks and social needs in this group. The aims of this study were to describe perceived social provisions in a group of older home-dwelling care-dependent patients, and to explore the relationship between perceived social provisions, physical functioning, mental state and reception of formal and informal care. The sample consisted of 242 persons aged 75+ years from seven municipalities in southern Norway, all receiving home nursing. Data were collected by means of structured interviews. Social support was…

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Nursing competence in municipal in-patient acute care in Norway: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background The primary health care services are becoming increasingly complex, which presents challenges for the municipal nursing services. In Norway, municipal in-patient acute care (MipAC) has been introduced in all municipalities, and the competence at the services has been questioned. Few studies have examined the nursing services in the units. This study aims to get an overview of the nursing competence in those units across geographical regions, and different groups of organisation and localisation. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, and an ad hoc questionnaire was distributed to first-line leaders in all the MipAC units in Norway. Data were collected in the peri…

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Using information and communication technology in the recovery after a coronary artery bypass graft surgery: patients’ attitudes

Jan Gunnar Dale,1 Elin Midthus,2 Bjørg Dale3 1University of Agder, Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Grimstad, Norway; 2LHL Hospital Gardermoen, Jessheim, Norway; 3Centre for Care Research, Southern Norway, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway Background: Patients who have undergone a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery are exposed to physical and mental problems after discharge from the specialist hospital and are often in need of post-discharge support and follow-up. Aim: This study aimed to explore the attitudes of CABG patients toward using information and communication technology (ICT) during the first year of recovery after discharge from hospital. Methods: …

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Nutritional screening of older home-dwelling Norwegians: a comparison between two instruments.

Ulrika Söderhamn, Bjørg Dale, Kari Sundsli, Olle SöderhamnCentre for Caring Research-Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, NorwayBackground: It is important to obtain knowledge about the prevalence of nutritional risk and associated factors among older home-dwelling people in order to be able to meet nutritional challenges in this group in the future and to plan appropriate interventions. The aim of this survey was to investigate the prevalence of home-dwelling older people at nutritional risk and to identify associated factors using two different nutritional screening instruments as self-report instruments.Methods…

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Family members’ experiences of being cared for by nurses and physicians in Norwegian intensive care units: A phenomenological hermeneutical study

Summary Objectives When patients are admitted to intensive care units, families are affected. This study aimed to illuminate the meaning of being taken care of by nurses and physicians for relatives in Norwegian intensive care units. Research methodology/design Thirteen relatives of critically ill patients treated in intensive care units in southern Norway were interviewed in autumn 2013. Interview data were analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutical method inspired by the philosopher Paul Ricoeur. Results Two main themes emerged: being in a receiving role and being in a participating role. The receiving role implies experiences of informational and supportive care from nurses and phys…

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Nutritional self-care among a group of older home-living people in rural Southern Norway

Bjørg Dale, Ulrika SöderhamnCentre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, NorwayBackground: Older home-living people are an at-risk group for undernutrition, particularly those who are living alone. Lack of knowledge about healthy dietary habits, altered taste sensation, and declined health status are shown to be some of the factors related to undernutrition. The aims of this study were to explore how a small group of older people in Southern Norway perceived their nutritional self-care.Methods: An exploratory qualitative approach, combined with a simple self-report questionnaire, was used. Fi…

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Psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) among older people living at home

Bjørg Dale, Ulrika Söderhamn, Olle SöderhamnCentre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, NorwayIntroduction: The incidence and prevalence of mental problems among older people are difficult to map because the causes are often complex and the symptoms manifest in a range of ways. Therefore, there is a need for robust and useful instruments for screening mental problems in this group. One instrument used in Norway and around the world is the 30-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30). Nevertheless, studies testing reliability and validity of the Norwegian version are …

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Psychometric testing of the Norwegian version of the Nutritional Form For the Elderly among older home-dwelling people

Ulrika Söderhamn, Bjørg Dale, Kari Sundsli, Solveig T Tomstad, Olle SöderhamnCenter for Caring Research, Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, NorwayBackground: Nutritional screening instruments need to be evaluated in terms of reliability and validity and being able to demonstrate sensitivity and specificity for use in clinical practice and research. The aims of this study were to test the reliability and validity of the Norwegian version of the Nutritional Form For the Elderly (NUFFE-NO) in a sample of older home-dwelling people, and to use the short form of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) as a standard.…

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Testing Measurement Properties of the Norwegian Version of Electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS) in a Group of Day Surgery Patients

Jan Gunnar Dale, 1 Alexander Lüthi, 2 Beate Fundingsland Skaraas, 3 Trude Rundereim, 4 Bjørg Dale 5 1University of Agder, Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Grimstad NO-4898, Norway; 2Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Postoperative Unit, Oslo NO-0440, Norway; 3Municipality of Hå, Health and Social Services, Nærbø NO-4365, Norway; 4Municipality of Kinn, Måløy NO-6701, Norway; 5Centre for Care Research, Southern Norway, University of Agder, Grimstad NO-4898, NorwayCorrespondence: Jan Gunnar DaleUniversity of Agder, Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Post Box 509, Grimstad NO-4898, NorwayTel +47 37 23 37 31Email j…

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Telemedicine to support coping resources in home-living patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Patients’ experiences

Introduction The way in which telemedicine contributes to promote coping and independence might be undervalued in the development of telemedicine solutions and the implementation of telemedicine interventions. This study explored how home-living patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experienced follow-up using telemedicine, and the extent to which the implemented technology was able to support and improve the patients’ coping resources and independence. Methods A qualitative approach with individual semi-structured interviews was used. Ten patients diagnosed with COPD participated. The data were transcribed verbatim and a qualitative content analysis method wa…

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Systematic Use of Song and Music in Dementia Care: Health Care Providers’ Experiences

Background and Aim Using song and music in a systematic way in residential dementia care may have several positive impacts on the patients, as well as the care providers. The aim of this study was to explore how health care providers experienced taking responsibility for conducting a song and music program in dementia care in nursing homes. Methods An explorative, qualitative study design was used. Focus groups were formed by 17 health care providers from 3 different nursing homes. These providers had experience implementing and using the “Gjenklang” (“reverberation”) song and music program especially developed for people with dementia. Focus group interviews were transcribed verbatim, and …

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Facilitating holistic continuity of care for older patients: Home care nurses' experiences using checklists.

Aims and objectives To explore home care nurses' experiences of implementation and use of checklists developed for improving continuity of care for older patients (65+ years). Background The Norwegian Coordination Reform was implemented to improve coordination between hospitals and communities and facilitate a quicker return to home community after hospital discharge. To follow-up, national learning networks were initialised to improve pathways for chronically ill older patients, including the development and use of standardised checklists. Design An explorative qualitative design was chosen. Methods Three focus group interviews were conducted, including 18 registered nurses from eight muni…

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Associations between nurse managers’ leadership styles, team culture and competence planning in Norwegian municipal in-patient acute care services: A cross-sectional study

Background Increased complexity in the primary healthcare services has followed in the wake of health reforms and reveals the need for competence enhancement in the nursing services. Effective and visionary leadership, sufficiently qualified staff and cooperation among professionals are considered as key measures to safeguard quality in the services. Aims To identify which leadership styles characterise first-line nurse managers in Norwegian municipal in-patient acute care (MipAC) units and to investigate how first-line nurse managers’ leadership styles are associated with team culture and documented nursing competence planning. Methods A cross-sectional survey was distributed to all the fi…

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What Factors Facilitate Good Learning Experiences in Clinical Studies in Nursing: Bachelor Students’ Perceptions

Published version of an article from the journal:ISRN Nursing. Also available from the publisher: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/628679 Clinical studies constitute 50% of the bachelor program in nursing education in Norway, and the quality of these studies may be decisive for the students’ opportunities to learn and develop their professional competences. The aim of this study was to explore what bachelor students’ in nursing perceived to be important for having good learning experiences in clinical studies. Data was collected in a focus group interview with eight nursing students who were in the last year of the educational program. The interview was transcribed verbatim, and qualitative c…

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