High quality work is something one always strives to achieve and feel obliged to do (Gardner 2001, Miller 2006, Christiansen 2008).
Goal of study: To clarify opinions of high quality work, determination, responsibility, and priorities, in relation to performing high quality work for the patients. It is important to explore how the students best can prepare themselves to meet the tension between ideals and realities that often meet today’s and tomorrows nurses. Another goal is to understand how leaders can perceive good quality work, and how priorities and conditions lay foundations so that nurses can practice according to professional and ethical ideals.
Problem:
What are the hallmarks of high quality work?
Which expectations do students have with regards to performing high quality work as nurse at the end of their education?
How are the expectations for high quality work amongst nurses that have worked for 2 years, plus the leaders?
How are responsibility and framework conditions experienced in this context?
Part 1: Four focus group interviews with 24 third year students were conducted before they finished the education in the spring of 2010. The interviews were conducted using an interview guide that is based on a guide developed by Joan F. Miller, Bloomsburg University, Department of Nursing, USA. She has developed a similar design,which gives comparative opportunities.
Part 2: Involves a further development of the design that preserves an international and comparative perspective in cooperation with Joan F. Miller and Ida T. Bjørk. The plan is to contact the informants from part 1 after two years of working as nurse (mai/june 2012). The intention is to do individual interviews. Selected leaders from nursing service will also be interviewed.