"Det sås ett frö där som liksom sakta gror" : Att utveckla ett empatiskt och professionellt förhållningssätt under sjuksköterskeutbildning

In human service organizations it is important to enlighten the significance of human encounters. The aim of this study was to explore nursing students experiences of developing empathy and professional relationship in encounters with patients and next of kin during their education. Interviews with five nursing students were carried out. The method of analysing content analysis was used. One main theme and five subthemes were presented. The main theme was described as a process of developing courage and awareness. The students challenged themselves and their beliefs and through this they gained self-knowledge and courage. During periods of clinical practice the usefulness of theoretic knowledge became evident for the students. The developing of awareness and the gain of courage made them more secure in human encounters. The result of this study lead to a deeper understanding of the significant elements for nursing students development towards a professional relationship in human encounters