The Lived Experience of Taking a Risk

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to answer the research question: What is the structure of the lived experience of taking a risk? The participants were 9 persons from the general population. The Parse research method, a phenomenological-hermeneutic method, was used to discover the structure of taking a risk. Through the process of extraction-synthesis three core concepts were identified: venturing forth amid potential peril, apprehension with elation, novel engagements. Thus, for these 9 individuals the lived experience of taking a risk is venturing forth amid potential peril, as apprehension with elation surfaces in novel engagements. Taking a risk will be discussed in relation to the principles and concepts of the theory of humanbecoming and in relation to how it can inform nursing practice and future research. This study was also the means for introducing the Parse research method to 10 research assistants interested in learning more about the theory of humanbecoming and the Parse research methodology.