Home⇛Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives⇛vol. 3 no. 8 (2025)

Working Student Nurses: A Husserlian Phenomenology of Study-Work Balance

Michael T. Sebullen | Jesse B. Bantali

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

This research examined the experiences of 12 nursing students who are working while studying, using Husserlian phenomenology as a framework. The study was conducted at Baguio Central University and employed a qualitative approach, including semi-structured interviews and phenomenological reduction, to uncover the core aspects of their experiences. The participants were twelve fourth-year nursing students who were balancing their academic responsibilities with employment. The data collected were transcribed and analyzed thematically using NVivo software, which facilitated the systematic coding of transcripts and helped identify emerging themes and patterns across participants’ accounts, incorporating ideas from the Phenomenology of Perception and Embodiment. The findings indicated that: (1) working nursing students commonly experience the challenges of balancing roles and sacrificing selfcare; (2) they use time management as a resilience strategy; (3) they face health strain and emotional exhaustion due to juggling work and study; (4) their views on professional readiness are influenced by support systems and grounding practices; and (5) financial motivation and professional growth help them remain resilient in managing both work and study. Their coping strategies included establishing timebased routines, engaging in spiritual practices, and finding joy through short breaks and leisure activities. Despite facing academic fatigue, emotional stress, and physical tiredness, the participants exhibited a strong sense of agency and were developing their professional identities. The study concludes that while working while studying is challenging, it fosters growth and a goal-oriented mindset among nursing students. They cope by effectively managing their time, maintaining a positive outlook, seeking support, and relying on their faith. Balancing both responsibilities impacts their health and academic performance, although some students become more motivated to succeed. This experience enhances their confidence and skills while also exposing them to the harsh realities of the nursing profession. A sense of purpose, self confidence, drives their resilience, and the determination to persevere despite fatigue.



References:

  1. Abou Hashish, E. A., Bajbeir, E., Almabadi, S. A., Alzebali, N. D., & Alhubishi, S. F. (2024). Investigating quality of life, academic resilience, and influential factors in nursing education: A mixed-methods study among nursing students. SAGE Open Nursing, 10. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608241303690
  2. Aryuwat, P., Asp, M., Lövenmark, A., Radabutr, M., & Holmgren, J. (2023). An integrative review of resilience among nursing students in the context of nursing education. Nursing open, 10(5), 2793–2818. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1559
  3. Aryuwat, P., Holmgren, J., Asp, M., Radabutr, M., & Lövenmark, A. (2024). Experiences of nursing students regarding challenges and support for resilience during clinical education: A qualitative study. Nursing Reports, 14(3), 1604–1620. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep14030120
  4. Bifarin, O., Ticha, J., & Rabiee, F. (2022). Factors associated with undergraduate nursing student academic and clinical performance: A systematic review. Frontiers in Medicine, 9, 793591. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.793591
  5. Cheng, J. M. F., Wong, A. Y. L., Chan, C. K. C., & McMaster, R. (2023). Associations among stressors, perceived stress, and psychological distress in nursing students: A mixed-methods longitudinal study in Hong Kong. Frontiers in Psychology, 14(1), Article 1234354. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1234354
  6. Cheng, Y. T., Wong, F. K. Y., & Lee, R. L. T. (2023). Adaptation and resilience of nursing students during the COVID‑19 pandemic: A longitudinal mixed‑methods study. Nurse Education Today, 125, 105741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105741
  7. Commission on Higher Education. (2018). Policies, standards, and guidelines for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Commission on Higher Education (Philippines). https://ched.gov.ph
  8. DeJonckheere, M., & Vaughn, L. M. (2019). Semistructured interviewing in primary care research: A balance of relationship and rigor. Family Medicine & Community Health, 7(2), e000057. https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2018-000057
  9. Guardiano, M., Boy, P., Shapirshteyn, G., Dobrozdravic, L., Chen, L., Yang, H., Robbins, W., & Li, J. (2022). Working conditions and wellbeing among prison nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to community nurses. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), 10955. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710955
  10. Hwang, E., & Kim, J. (2022). Factors affecting academic burnout of nursing students according to clinical practice experience. BMC Medical Education, 22, Article 346. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03422-7
  11. John, Bindu; Marath, Usha; Valappil, Sumathi P; Ulahannan, Chinnu; and Mathew, Deepa (2025). Nursing students’ perspectives of clinical learning environment in experiential learning and faculty-student relationship-interaction patterns.  Health Professions Education: Vol. 11: Iss. 1, Article 15. https://hpe.researchcommons.org/journal/vol11/iss1/15
  12. Krasniqi, B., Gjocaj, M., Ramadani, N., Salihu, L., & Zogaj, D. (2019). The role of nurses in improving prison health: A case study from Kosovo. International Journal of Prisoner Health, 15(2), 160–167. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-03-2018-0010
  13. Lamswood, D. (2024). Time management strategies for working students in healthcare programs. [Zenodo]. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11183973
  14. Lamswood, Jennifer; Hancock, Peggy; Randell, Gina; Kennedy, Daphne; Brooks, Darin W.; and Moores, Pamela (2024). We have bills to pay, too: the juggling act of working while attending nursing school. Quality Advancement in Nursing Education - Avancées en formation infirmière: Vol. 10: Iss. 2, Article 9. https://doi.org/10.17483/2368-6669.1423
  15. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kosovo. (2020). Strategy on gender equality 2020–2024. https://md.rks-gov.net
  16. Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kosovo. (2022a). Treatment of suicidal behaviour: Clinical guidelines. http://bit.ly/3Tz4uin
  17. Ministry of Health of Republic of Kosovo. (2022b). Treatment of alcohol and other drugs: Clinical guidelines. https://rb.gy/kejewn
  18. Muyambi, K., Kalua, L., Banda, C., & Manda, D. (2022). Understanding the experiences of working nursing students: A qualitative study from sub-Saharan Africa. African Journal of Health Professions Education, 14(1), 23–29. https://www.ajhpe.org.za/index.php/ajhpe/article/view/1611 
  19. OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
  20. Samartzis, D., Dai, J. M., & Wang, C. (2020). The hidden curriculum in nursing education: A scoping review. Nurse Education Today, 94, Article 104565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2020.104565
  21. Samartzis, L., & Talias, M. (2020). Assessing and improving the quality in mental health services. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 249. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010249
  22. Shen, Y., Feng, H., & Li, X. Academic resilience in nursing students: A concept analysis. BMC Nurs 23, 466 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02133-2
  23. Tiase, V., Crookston, C. D., Schoenbaum, A., & Valu, M. (2022). Nurses’ role in addressing social determinants of health. Nurs, 52(4), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NNA.0000821238.69628.9c

Tools


Copyright © 2025  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic