From Vocational College to University: How One Group of Nurses Experienced the Transition

Abstract

Vocationally trained Licensed Practical Nurses who attend university to earn a Bachelor of Nursing degree may lack the confidence, self direction and independence needed to succeed in higher education. This qualitative descriptive study explored Post LPN to BN students’ perceptions of their studies at a Canadian University. George Kelly’s (1955/1991) Psychology of Personal Constructs was the theoretical framework for this three year longitudinal project in which 10 Post LPN to BN students were interviewed at the beginning, middle and end of their program. Transcripts from the interviews were analyzed and two key themes are presented to illustrate the experiences of one group of adult learners, Licensed Practical Nurses, as they upgraded their vocational credentials at university. First, creating opportunities for Post LPN to BN students to articulate previous accomplishments bolstered their confidence. Second, instructor encouragement supported them towards self direction and independence.