What are final year undergraduate nursing students’ experiences of HIV/AIDS within their university curriculum and how does this influence their practice when caring for patients living with HIV or AIDS in Scotland?

Abstract

Aim: This research proposal aims to explore final year undergraduate nursing students’ experiences of HIV/AIDS within their university curriculum and how this influences their practice when caring for patients living with HIV or AIDS in Scotland? Background: Since the start of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, nurses have been at the forefront of caring for those infected with the virus. Studies have discovered that negative attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS still exists among student nurses across the globe. The literature review aimed at finding out what student nurses’ perspectives towards HIV/AIDS were within a global context. From this, it was found that the lack of education and cultural influence on HIV/AIDS had an impact on their attitudes and willingness to care, resulting in poor quality care to be given. Method: A qualitative, interpretive phenomenological research study focusing on 12 final year undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a BSc (Hons/MSc) Nursing program at a Scottish university. Data will be collected through 1:1 semi-structured interviews, which will be recorded and transcribed with participants’ consent. An Interpretive Phenomenology Analysis (IPA) will then be performed to analyse the interview data. Relevance to practice: University nursing faculties, as well as NHS Scotland, need to be aware of the impact that HIV/AIDS education has on professional’s care to practice. People living with HIV/AIDS must be treated equally and by professionals who are knowledgeable about the condition in order for person-centred care to be provided.