Date
11-13-2025
Department
School of Nursing
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Chair
Kara Schacke
Keywords
Transition, Well-being, Psychosocial, Phenomenology, Transcendental, Learning, Covid-19
Disciplines
Nursing
Recommended Citation
Gerald-Koram, Lesley I., "The Lived Psychosocial Experiences of Nursing Students Transitioning from In-person Learning to Virtual Learning: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7594.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7594
Abstract
The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore and understand the lived psychosocial experiences of nursing students who transitioned from in-person learning to virtual learning at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the northeast region. The study comprised of 15 participants who were enrolled in accredited nursing programs across New York, who experienced the abrupt shift in learning platforms during a global crisis. The abrupt shift significantly affected the emotional, academic, and professional development of the nursing students. This research was rooted in the growing concern of nursing student mental health, academic engagement, and preparation for clinical practice in the absence of skills training. Husserl (2014) transcendental phenomenological philosophy and Schlossberg transitional model (1981) were used. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, asynchronous written discussion, and reflexive journaling from a purposive sample of 15 nursing students. Thematic analysis resulted in three major themes: emotional and psychosocial impact, disruption in education and adaptability, and growth, resilience, and the formation of personal identity. MAXQDA 2022 software was used to assist in data coding and organization. Results from the study highlighted how the pandemic exacerbated stress and introduced new challenges related to isolation, loneliness, uncertainty, and adaptation. Despite the challenges, nursing students exhibited resilience and the ability to adapt to their new learning platform. They emphasized the importance of having support from faculty and peers, being flexible in the strategies used for learning and being able to pivot in the future using different education models.
