A hermeneutic phenomenological study to explore postgraduate nursing students' lived experience of workplace support to apply learning in practice

Strategic policies were identified from government, professional and healthcare organisations for postgraduate nurse education (PGNE) to support the capacity and capability of the nursing workforce to meet healthcare needs. However, iterative literature reviews throughout my professional doctorate identified limited research and understanding relating to postgraduate nursing students’ (PGNS) experiences of workplace support to apply learning in practice (ALiP).Therefore, the overarching aim of my hermeneutic phenomenological study was to make an original contribution to knowledge relating to PGNS experiences of workplace support to ALiP. The methodological framework is underpinned by a constructionist ontology, interpretivist epistemology and hermeneutic phenomenology that assume multiple realities and truths. Justification for the framework and methodological decisions is underpinned by the aim of understanding the subjective, lived experiences of PGNS. Following university ethical approval for the study, relevant gatekeeper permissions were sought to purposefully recruit voluntary participants enrolled on a range of postgraduate nursing programmes. The study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria aimed to ensure participation of PGNS with experiences of undertaking postgraduate education while working in nursing practice.Individual audio recorded telephone interviews were undertaken to collect and transcribe an accurate description of the verbal sharing of the participants’ PGNS experiences. Data interpretation of parts (individual transcriptions) and the whole (collective transcriptions) was guided by the hermeneutic spiral, frameworks for interpretation and rigour, and my fore-structures of understanding. Within this thesis findings are presented as offerings inclusive of rich, in-depth interpretation and analytical discussion with anonymous crafted extracts to bring to life the participants’ subjective lived experiences. The offerings chapters critically explore the phenomena revealed through data interpretation to illuminate furtherunderstanding and meaning of PGNS experiences of workplace support to ALiP, and transparently discuss methodological strengths and limitations. The outcomes of my research aim to provide an opportunity for relevant professional colleagues to further understanding, knowledge, research and practice relating to PGNS experiences of workplace support to ALiP.