title: The juggling act: Do student nurses who care for dependants need an adapted course? An applied policy research study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In line with many countries worldwide, the Department of Health mandate to Health Education England seeks to promote the diversity of applicants by widening participation in nurse education. A number of studies have explored the experience of non-traditional students undertaking nursing courses.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore and understand the experiences of student nurses undertaking their nurse education whilst caring for dependant family.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used an applied qualitative research approached based on methods developed for applied social policy research.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was undertaken in an institution of higher education in the North East of England.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of a convenience sample of 14 respondents, 13 female and 1 male. Ten respondents lived with partners and 3 had disabled dependants within the family. The age range of dependent children ranged from 3months to 19years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was collected through focus groups and telephone interviews using a semi-structured interview schedule. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three superordinate themes were identified, Altruism and Commitment, Maturity and Family and Social Mobility, that best encapsulate the characteristics that enable this group to function well and complete their nurse education. Analysis identified a highly motivated group of students who's individual accounts showed that their lives, whilst in nurse education, were a constant series of compromises and 'juggling' between the demands of the course and the demands of their families.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This group of students do not need an adapted course, but instead wish for a realistic nursing course where expectations are managed in an honest way. Basic common sense and good management of nursing courses will help ensure that this motivated group of people achieve their goals with minimum hardship or difficulties.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer Research Methodologies, Northumbria University, Coach Lane Campus East, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: matt.kiernan@northumbria.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kiernan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coach Lane Campus West, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: carole.proud@northumbria.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Proud
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coach Lane Campus West, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: sue.jackson@northumbria.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D004739:England; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Health Education; Higher education; Mature students; Non-traditional students; Nurse education; Preregistration; Qualitative research; Social mobility