Date
4-29-2026
Department
School of Nursing
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Chair
Robert Koch
Keywords
Hispanic, first-generation, associate degree, nursing student, social determinants of learning
Disciplines
Nursing
Recommended Citation
McLamb, Kristin, "Belonging and Becoming: A Phenomenological Study of First-Generation Hispanic Students Pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8271.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8271
Abstract
The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study is to understand and describe the lived experience of first-generation, associate degree-seeking Hispanic nursing students attending a community college in the southwestern part of the United States. The theory guiding this study is the social determinants of learning framework. Through the application of this theory, educators can identify challenges that first-generation Hispanic students face within the community college system as they seek an associate’s degree in nursing. Data collection consisted of guided writing prompts, interviews, and focus groups from 13 participants. Following the process of phenomenological reflection from van Manen, participant information was grouped according to the phenomenon being studied and clustered to represent recurring patterns or themes. Four overarching themes were established from this study: family sacrifice drives motivation, the bilingual advantage, cultural identity as a source of pride, and representation. Implications for practice include aligning first-generation Hispanic nursing students with other Hispanic registered nurses for mentoring and cultural support, as well as implementation of proactive support services to negate social determinants that challenge successful completion of an associate degree nursing program.
