Creating a caring learning environment in nursing education

Abstract

Since 1987, the National Nursing Association (NNA) has called for the need to reform in nursing education. The currency of behavioral models ,the rule of prescriptive laws and one-way teacher-student relationships, consequently, the creation of an educational environment free of caring and human principles, has recalled the need to revise in nursing education. Many efforts have been made to change the nursing education paradigm and introduce the concept of caring in nursing curriculum. The concept of caring in nursing education is a teaching and learning approach that is defined based on sustainable teacher-student interaction and based on human values.One of the prerequisites for integrating the concept of caring in nursing education is providing a caring environment in nursing schools. The caring learning environment has been introduced as a climate to increase the student's perception and ability to learn and apply the concept of caring, which is based on sharing experiences, respect and support. The caring environment is introduced as a supportive environment and free expression of ideas without judgment and with respect for the human dignity of students, faculty and staff.The structural features of nursing schools (standards, leadership, curriculum) along with the affective characteristics, such as: the ability and understand caring, as well as caring behaviors, create a caring environment. In this atmosphere, everyone feels valued and respected. The outcome of caring learning environment are: retaining faculty and students in the profession, Improving the civic environment, decreasing faculty- practice gap and preparing nursing students who provide patient-centered care.