Order #: 15270

Authors:

Chung-Park, M., Hatton, D., Robinson, L., Kleffel, D.

Title:

RN-to-MSN Students' Attitudes Toward Women Experiencing Homelessness: A Focus Group Study.

Source:

Journal of Nursing Education 45(8): 317-322, 2006. (Journal Article: 6 Pages)

Abstract:

This qualitative study's aim was to examine  the attitudes of RN-to-MSN students toward mothers living with their children in a transitional shelter.  A convenience sample of ten students enrolled in a community health nursing course at a university in southern California participated in the study.  Two focus groups were conducted: one before and one after a 15-week clinical experience.  Data analysis revealed that during the clinical experience, students discovered that they, or perhaps an individual like them, could become homeless. Their attitudes and views changed to include a bigger picture of homelessness, described by public health nursing researchers as "moving upstream."  This article suggests strategies for integrating clinical experiences with socioeconomically vulnerable individuals into undergraduate nursing curricula (authors).