Lived Experiences of Transitions in International Nursing Students

102 Pages·2016·1.4 MB·English

University of Texas at Tyler
Scholar Works at UT Tyler
Nursing Teses and Dissertations School of Nursing
Spring 5-2011
Lived Experiences of Transitions in International
Nursing Students
Shellye A. Vardaman
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Recommended Citation
Vardaman, Shellye A., "Lived Experiences of Transitions in International Nursing Students" (2011). Nursing Teses and Dissertations.
Paper 21.
htp://hdl.handle.net/10950/55
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Shellye A. Vardaman, Ph.D.
LIVED EXPERIENCES OF TRANSITIONS IN INTERNATIONAL NURSING
STUDENTS

By

SHELLYE A. VARDAMAN

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
College of Nursing
Beth Mastel-Smith, Ph.D., Committee Chair
College of Nursing and Health Sciences

The University of Texas at Tyler
May 2011
Acknowledgements

While my name may be the only one listed as author for this work, it would have
been an impossible journey without the assistance and guidance of my dissertation chair,
Dr. Beth Mastel-Smith. I am forever indebted to you for your kindness and direction. To
Dr. Susan Yarbrough, a member of my committee and my academic advisor through the
first two years of the program, thank you for your faith in me and encouragement. To Dr.
Barbara Haas, Director of the Ph.D. program, thank you for introducing me to Transitions
Theory.
To my family, words cannot express the appreciation I have for your love and
support. The countless hours that were spent on coursework and this dissertation took
precious moments away from each of you. To my parents, thank you for teaching me
that education is the key to success. To my children, Morgan and Trey, I hope you both
understand the importance of education and how much I love you both. I thank you for
not complaining about the times that I could not do what you wanted because I was
“studying.” To my husband and best friend, Lee, I thank you for always challenging me
to better myself. It is because of you that I felt this to be possible. I love you and thank
you!
Table of Contents
Abstract .............................................................................................................................. vi
Overview of Study .............................................................................................................. 7
Overall Purpose of Study ................................................................................................ 7
Introduction of Articles Appended .................................................................................. 8
Evaluation of the Project ................................................................................................. 9
Recommendations Based on Findings .......................................................................... 12
Results of Original Research in Manuscript Format ..................................................... 13
References ......................................................................................................................... 15
Manuscript 1 The Science of Transitions ......................................................................... 17
Abstract ......................................................................................................................... 18
Aim ................................................................................................................................ 19
Transitions Theory ........................................................................................................ 20
Developmental Transition ......................................................................................... 20
Situational Transition ............................................................................................... 20
Health-Illness Transition ........................................................................................... 21
Organizational Transition .......................................................................................... 21
Transition Conditions ................................................................................................ 22
Patterns of Response .................................................................................................. 24
Analysis of Situational Transitions Literature .............................................................. 26
Academic Transitions ................................................................................................ 26
i
Role Transitions ......................................................................................................... 29
Relevance of Situational Transitions in Nursing........................................................... 30
Conclusions ................................................................................................................... 31
References ..................................................................................................................... 33
Manuscript 2 Lived experiences of international nursing students .................................. 37
Abstract ......................................................................................................................... 38
Transitions Theory ........................................................................................................ 42
Purpose of the research study and Research Questions ................................................ 44
Methods ......................................................................................................................... 44
Sample and Setting .................................................................................................... 45
Sample Demographics . .............................................................................................. 46
Instruments .................................................................................................................... 47
Procedures ..................................................................................................................... 47
Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 48
Findings ......................................................................................................................... 51
Meaning of studying nursing in the US ..................................................................... 51
Expectations of coming to the US to study nursing .................................................. 53
Planning prior to coming to US and college.............................................................. 55
Knowledge of US and nursing school prior to coming to US ................................... 57
Perception and interaction with the environment ...................................................... 58
Emotional Well-being ................................................................................................ 60
ii
Physical Well-being ................................................................................................... 62
Well-being of interpersonal relationships .................................................................. 62
General Sense of Well-Being .................................................................................... 65
Role Mastery.............................................................................................................. 66
Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 66
Implications. .................................................................................................................. 69
Conclusions ................................................................................................................... 71
References ..................................................................................................................... 73
Appendix A Detailed Research Procedure Protocol ......................................................... 82
Appendix B IRB Approval Letter ..................................................................................... 85
Appendix C IRB Consent Form ........................................................................................ 87
Appendix D External Auditor Letter ................................................................................ 91
Appendix E Recruitment Brochure ................................................................................... 92
Appendix F Permission to Use Copyrighted Materials .................................................... 94
Biographical Sketch .......................................................................................................... 96

iii
List of Figures
Figure 1 A Nursing Model of Transitions .........................................................................78
Figure 2 Flowchart of Giorgi‟s Phenomenological Methodology .....................................79

iv
List of Tables
Table 1 Demographic Questionnaire .................................................................................80
Table 2 Interview Schedule ...............................................................................................81

v