Quest to Belong: Nursing Students’ Perceptions While Transitioning From College to University

Abstract

Background: Students face challenges throughout their undergraduate nursing programs. Adapting to university, accessing resources, and transitioning from one year to the next and between institutions are examples of these challenges. Limited research exists on the perceptions of undergraduate nursing students’ sense of belonging while transitioning from college to university in a collaborative nursing degree program in Canada.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine third-year undergraduate nursing students’ perception of sense of belonging while transitioning from college to university in a collaborative nursing degree program. More specifically, the study aimed to identify factors that have affected students’ experiences of their sense of belonging and identify strategies that have influenced the college site students’ sense of belonging while transitioning to the university.

Methods: Interpretive description qualitative methodology was used to explore nursing students’ perceptions of sense of belonging while transitioning from college to university. Participants were third year nursing students who had transitioned from the college site to university site. Data was collected in February 2020 by in-depth in-person semi-structured individual interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results: Thirteen students participated. Four emergent themes were identified: journey of emotions, perception of barriers and challenges, facilitators to sense of belonging, and students’ suggestions for change.

Conclusion: This study highlighted the factors that impacted nursing students’ sense of belonging while transitioning. Study findings revealed perceived challenges and supports from social, program, and institutional perspectives in students’ transition journey from college to university. These findings provide insights to guide faculty, collaborative programs, and academic institutions in ways to design specific strategies and guidelines to support nursing students’ success and to enhance their sense of belonging as they transition from college to university.