The concepts of suffering in nursing students’ opinion

Introduction. The current social transformation has had an impact on creating the nursing students’
attitude towards the reality of suffering. In the future they are perceived to realize the professional care
to suffering and incurable patients.

Aim. The matter of that problem has determined the author of this publication to undertake research
which main aim is to value the relation between studying and suffering in students’ point of view.
Material and methods. 43 students of the first year, 39 of the second year and 70 students of third year
took part in the perspective psychological examination. All students - together 152 studying in Higher
Vocational School in Tarnów, Nursing Department, extramural studies. All students were exposed to the
identical psychological study based on the Questionnaire of Attitude Towards Suffering which was
worked out by Psychology Department PAT in Cracow.

Results. The survey showed that students of I, II and III year took into account the question of the
meaning of life in the concept of suffering (87% students of I year, 82 % students of II year, 70% students
of III year), and furthermore the aspect of faith in searching for the sense of suffering, e.g. the sign of
God and small amount of Christ (74% students of I year, 48% students of II year, 36% students of III
year). Both students of I and III year did not highlight the importance of the mystery of suffering in their
concepts. On the other hand, students of II year stressed out that aspect of suffering on the 3rd position.

Conclusions. The direct students’ intercourse in the process of upbringing and education with the
reality of man’s suffering modifies and has a huge impact on their opinions, but the most powerful
influence has hitherto education and religion.