title: Students' experiences of learning in relation to didactic strategies during the first year of a nursing programme: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In university undergraduate nursing programmes, didactic strategies that enable students to learn nursing skills, solve problems and develop reflective and critical thinking and practice are needed. The aim of this study was to explore how different didactic strategies support nursing students' experiences of learning during the first year of a reconstructed nursing curriculum.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study employed a qualitative approach. The data were gathered through written narratives that were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nursing students' experiences of learning through different didactic strategies, were evident in the text. These perspectives were organised into the following themes: To focus on the patient perspective and paying more attention to others, Learning from discussions and reflections on one's own learning, Training for the professional role and becoming more courage, and Gaining insights into nursing and increasing one's self-awareness. The education increased the students' self-awareness, which helped them to pay greater attention to patients and their relative. During the learning process, the students became more courageous, reflected and discovered their shortcomings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stated didactic strategies supported a broad base of knowledge on nursing and the professional role of nurses. Educators are challenged to strengthen meaningful learning in nursing and to facilitate the progression of nursing programmes.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Education, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden. lars.westin@his.se.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Westin
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Education, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden. Annelie.Johansson.Sundler@his.se.|School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalens University, Västerås, Sweden. Annelie.Johansson.Sundler@his.se.
authors.forename: Annelie J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sundler
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Education, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden. mia.berglund@his.se.
authors.forename: Mia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berglund
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011361:Professional Competence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult