| Abstrakt: |
Aims: To explore the experience of younger students of children's nursing when required to care for clients of similar age in hospital, and their concerns in relation to professional boundaries. Methods: A phenomenological study was undertaken as a requirement of the doctorate in education programme. Individual unstructured interviews were conducted with 11 students under 20 years of age, and nine of their young clients. Findings: The students described the difficulties of trying to balance being a friend to the young people to gain trust, with maintaining a professional relationship. Conclusion: Students of children's nursing should be encouraged to relate to their clients of similar age in a professional way that inspires trust and therapeutic engagement. For this the students need the support and guidance of their tutors, mentors and peers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
