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EN
Metaphorical Perceptions of Nursing Students Regarding the Concepts of Nursing, Patient and Patient Safety: A Qualitative Study
Abstract
Aims
This study aims to reveal nursing students' perceptions of the concepts of "nursing", "patient" and "patient safety" through metaphors.
Methods
The study was conducted with the participation of 88 nursing students using a qualitative descriptive design using content analysis. Data was collected via Google form. The nursing students were asked to express their inferences regarding the concepts of 'nursing', 'patient', and 'patient safety' through metaphors. The responses were categorized, and logical consistency within these categories was verified.
Results: Seven themes were identified for the profession of "nursing" and four themes were identified for the concepts of "patient" and "patient safety". The metaphors used for the nursing profession included "mother", "water", and "magic wand"; these focused on the theme "Nursing is goodness and beauty". For the concept of "patient" the metaphors included "flower", "pressure cooker", "phone", and "fruit"; these highlighted the theme of "Patients need care and protection". Finally, the metaphors for the concept of " patient safety" were "virus program", "amino acid", "insurance", and "destiny"; these emphasized the theme of "Patient safety protects the patient".
Conclusion: This study provides a framework for comprehending all aspects of the concepts of "nursing", "patient" and "patient safety" through metaphors. The results have the potential to offer a more holistic perspective on these three concepts, especially within the context of nursing education.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
In order to conduct the research, permission was obtained from the Health Sciences Ethics Committee of a university in Turkey (B.30.2.IEUSB.0.05.05-20-068) and the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Health Sciences. The purpose of the study was clearly stated on the front page of the survey form, and only those who agreed to participate were allowed to proceed. The Consolidation Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research was followed in this study
References
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- Çatal, A. T., Cebeci, F., & Uçak, A. (2024). Intern nursing students' perceptions of patient safety culture and their experiences with factors affecting the safety of care in hospital settings: A mixed method study. Nurse Education Today, 135, 106120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106120
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Nurse Education
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
March 24, 2026
Submission Date
December 16, 2025
Acceptance Date
February 10, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 5 Number: 1
APA
Savsar, A., & Öğce Aktaş, F. (2026). Metaphorical Perceptions of Nursing Students Regarding the Concepts of Nursing, Patient and Patient Safety: A Qualitative Study. Balkan Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 5(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.61830/balkansbd.1843465
AMA
1.Savsar A, Öğce Aktaş F. Metaphorical Perceptions of Nursing Students Regarding the Concepts of Nursing, Patient and Patient Safety: A Qualitative Study. Balkan Health Sci J. 2026;5(1):1-17. doi:10.61830/balkansbd.1843465
Chicago
Savsar, Adile, and Filiz Öğce Aktaş. 2026. “Metaphorical Perceptions of Nursing Students Regarding the Concepts of Nursing, Patient and Patient Safety: A Qualitative Study”. Balkan Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 5 (1): 1-17. https://doi.org/10.61830/balkansbd.1843465.
EndNote
Savsar A, Öğce Aktaş F (March 1, 2026) Metaphorical Perceptions of Nursing Students Regarding the Concepts of Nursing, Patient and Patient Safety: A Qualitative Study. Balkan Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 5 1 1–17.
IEEE
[1]A. Savsar and F. Öğce Aktaş, “Metaphorical Perceptions of Nursing Students Regarding the Concepts of Nursing, Patient and Patient Safety: A Qualitative Study”, Balkan Health Sci J, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–17, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.61830/balkansbd.1843465.
ISNAD
Savsar, Adile - Öğce Aktaş, Filiz. “Metaphorical Perceptions of Nursing Students Regarding the Concepts of Nursing, Patient and Patient Safety: A Qualitative Study”. Balkan Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 5/1 (March 1, 2026): 1-17. https://doi.org/10.61830/balkansbd.1843465.
JAMA
1.Savsar A, Öğce Aktaş F. Metaphorical Perceptions of Nursing Students Regarding the Concepts of Nursing, Patient and Patient Safety: A Qualitative Study. Balkan Health Sci J. 2026;5:1–17.
MLA
Savsar, Adile, and Filiz Öğce Aktaş. “Metaphorical Perceptions of Nursing Students Regarding the Concepts of Nursing, Patient and Patient Safety: A Qualitative Study”. Balkan Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 5, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 1-17, doi:10.61830/balkansbd.1843465.
Vancouver
1.Adile Savsar, Filiz Öğce Aktaş. Metaphorical Perceptions of Nursing Students Regarding the Concepts of Nursing, Patient and Patient Safety: A Qualitative Study. Balkan Health Sci J. 2026 Mar. 1;5(1):1-17. doi:10.61830/balkansbd.1843465