Enrollment in registered nurse-bachelor of science in nursing (RN-BSN) degree completion programs have increased in the last several years. Due to this increase, many programs have begun to offer their RN-BSN programs completely online or in a hybrid format. Often times, students who choose to pursue their degree online come from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds and speak English as a second language (ESL). There is limited research about the experiences of these students in this unique learning environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of RN-BSN ESL nursing students who are engaged in learning online and understanding their process of cultural integration. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory served as the theoretical framework and underpinning for this study. Ten individual interviews were conducted incorporating van Manen’s (1990) methodological steps for exploring the lived experience. Through phenomenological reflection, five major themes emerged: (a) understanding the online classroom, (b) expressing culture online, (c) alone but not lonely, (d) writing as a surmountable barrier, and (e) faculty role in the online journey. RN-BSN ESL nursing students who choose to pursue their degree completion completely online or in the hybrid format do so mainly for convenience and flexibility. Exploring their lived experiences offered insight into their personal challenges and triumphs with online cultural integration, writing, and obtaining the support needed to be successful.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:nova.edu/oai:nsuworks.nova.edu:hpd_con_stuetd-1027 |
| Date | 01 October 2016 |
| Creators | Sailsman, Sonique S |
| Publisher | NSUWorks |
| Source Sets | Nova Southeastern University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones |
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