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. 2025 Mar;32(2):498-513.
doi: 10.1177/09697330241265409. Epub 2024 Jul 24.

Explaining the process of learning about dignity by undergraduate nursing students: A grounded theory study

Hugo Franco  1 , Sílvia Caldeira  2 , Lucília Nunes  3
Affiliations

Explaining the process of learning about dignity by undergraduate nursing students: A grounded theory study

Hugo Franco et al. Nurs Ethics. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Background: The learning process about dignity and how undergraduate nursing students experience and use this ethical knowledge is an under-represented field in nursing research. To overcome the lack of conceptual clarity, it is important to understand what processes and dimensions students develop to support this learning outcome.

Objective: This study aimed to explain the process of learning about dignity by undergraduate nursing students.

Research design and methods: A qualitative study was conducted using the grounded theory method.

Participants and research context: Data was collected through free reports and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 participants. A focus group was held for the selective coding. Sampling began purposefully and evolved into theoretical. Reflective and theoretical memos were generated from the data collection and constant comparison. Data analysis was performed using qualitative data analysis software using Corbin and Strauss' method.

Ethical considerations: The research was approved by a specialized research ethics committee from a Health School.

Findings: The process of learning about dignity by undergraduate nursing students revealed 'recognition of dignity' as the core category, supported by five main categories: 'proto-conscience of dignity', 'pathway to nursing', 'consciousness of dignity', 'ways of learning', and 'becoming capable'. These categories illustrate the processes and dimensions involved in nursing students' concept translation of dignity learning, allowing a theory to emerge.

Conclusions: The 'Recognition of Dignity' theory aims to contribute to developing educational, training, and supervision processes for nursing programs. It seeks to enhance the ethical and moral development of undergraduate nursing students by helping them understand the concept of dignity and its fundamental importance in nursing.

Keywords: Dignity; ethics education; grounded theory; nursing students; qualitative research.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Substantive theory on the recognition of dignity: The process of learning about dignity for nursing students.
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