Trial Lecture
The trial lecture starts at 10.00.
Title: "Læring i praksisfellesskaper – muligheter og begrensninger i yrkesutdannelsene".
Public defence
The candidate will defend her thesis at 12.00.
Title of the thesis: “Health care workers for the future. Development of skills in a field of practice characterized by busyness and emotional work”.
Ordinary opponents
- Professor emeritus Helge Søndergaard Hvid, Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University
- Professor Marit Ulvik, Department of Education, University of Bergen
- Professor Arne Ronny Sannerud, Centre for Senior Citizen Staff, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University
Leader of the public defence
Anna Hagen Tønder, Head of the Department of Vocational Teacher Education, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.
Supervisors
- Main supervisor: Professor Nina Amble, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University
- Co-supervisor: Professor Kari Ingstad, Nord University.
Abstract
There is a growing demand for qualified healthcare personnel in the Norwegian health care service. With an increasingly elderly population, and more patients who want to live at home for as long as possible, there is a need for independent healthcare workers who can meet the demands and expectations of providing high-quality services for this population.
While there is currently a considerable body of research exploring this situation from the perspective of nursing, this thesis focuses on the healthcare profession – a relatively unexplored and new profession in the Norwegian health care system.
The aim of the thesis is to contribute knowledge about healthcare workers need to develop skills in order to deliver qualified professional in home nursing care. The thesis pursues this aim from the perspectives of patients and from the perspectives of health care worker apprentices. The main research question is:
From novice to independent professional: How do apprentices in the healthcare profession develop professional competence?
The study employs a qualitative research design with a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. 10 patients associated with home nursing care and 12 apprentices / newly qualified health care workers were interviewed individually, with a semi-structured interview guide as the starting point for the conversation. In addition, observations have been made over several days, of healthcare worker apprentices at work in home nursing care.
The thesis is article-based and consists of three articles. The theoretical anchoring in the thesis is linked to pragmatic learning theories and learning and development in the workplace and in a community of practice. The results show that patients in home nursing care want healthcare workers who have a congruent behavior and who show mental presence in the time they have available.
The healthcare apprentices, on the other hand, balance demands and expectations by multitasking and using various forms of "acting" in meetings with patients. Independent professional practice is developed in the community of practice, with gradually increasing individual responsibility at the same time as guidance is provided.
Insights from this thesis have implications for pedagogy and research. First, findings from this study may be used to plan future health worked education and apprenticeships. The findings can also be used to train vocational teachers in the health worker profession.
In addition, the study has contextual and organizational implications by contributing to the local organization of home nursing care, as well as for the training of health workers in working life.
Contributing to the development of the education of healthcare workers is of great importance because the need for this profession is almost inexhaustible.
The healthcare system of today and of the future depends on independent healthcare workers, who can take responsibility and meet demands and expectations, at the same time as they are able to prioritize and set limits in limitless work.
