An integrative review on cadaver practice among undergraduate nursing students

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the experiences and perceptions of nursing students related to their cadaver practice through an integrative review.Methods: An integrative review was conducted using Whittemore and Knafl’s framework published in 2005. The key words, “nursing students & cadaver” and “nursing students & anatomy” were used to search peer-reviewed publications in six databases. Among 373 searched articles, 15 articles were selected after excluding articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria. The literature quality was moderate (levels C and B).Results: The results from the 15 selected studies were integrated and classified into seven themes: “anxiety and discomfort,” “gratitude and respect for donors,” “dignity of the human body and life,” “acceptance of death,” “getting closer to the nursing profession,” “enhanced understanding and memory of the human body” and “enhancement of learning motivation.”Conclusion: In conclusion, cadaver practice provided an opportunity to form values about the dignity of life and death, helped nursing students understand the human body, and motivated them to approach the profession of nursing. It is suggested to develop integrated cadaver practice programs that incorporate bioethics, spiritual nursing, and the vocation of the nursing profession.