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University of San Diego

Igniting the Mind: Engaging Nursing Students in the Process of Learning

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore the perceptions of associate degree nursing faculty regarding their classroom teaching experiences. A purposive, convenience sample of twenty-one educators volunteered to participate in the study. Data were primarily obtained through semi-structured interviews over a period of six months. Data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously utilizing the constant comparative method. Igniting the Mind emerged as the core category of the study. This category represented the methods nurse educators use to involve students in the process of learning. Igniting the Mind entails making a connection, letting go, getting buy-in, trying something new, pointing the way and, ultimately, seeing the changes exhibited by students. The educator's role is to create a learning environment that embraces challenge, support, engagement, and empowerment for all students. The emergent theory provides the basis for future instrument development. The proposed instrument would assess the effectiveness of various teaching strategies on student success. In addition, the findings of this study will provide novice and expert teachers with the tools to actively engage students in the process of learning.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Nursing Science
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation: Open Access
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Nursing
Year dc:date.available
1997

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Rossitto, Jo-Ann L., DNSc, MA, RN

Subjects

dc:subject × 8

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://digital.sandiego.edu/dissertations/270
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digital.sandiego.edu:dissertations-1273

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of San Diego
Base URL
digital.sandiego.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Rossitto, Jo-Ann L., DNSc, MA, RN. Igniting the Mind: Engaging Nursing Students in the Process of Learning. Dissertation: Open Access thesis, 1997. https://digital.sandiego.edu/dissertations/270