Identity and the learning experience of non-traditional students undertaking the specialist practitioner qualification

Abstract

This small qualitative study is an exploration of the concept of identity and its relationship to the learning experience of non-traditional students undertaking the Specialist Practitioner Qualification in District Nursing. Using a narrative inquiry approach, three participants were asked to recall their experiences 1 year after completing the SPQDN programme. Individual narratives were analysed, and central themes were extracted using NVivo coding. The findings indicated that feelings of academic self-doubt, the impact of past learning experiences and the connotations of being labelled as a student all had an influence on the participants' learning experience.