Abstract
- Background: In an effort to understand FNP students’ academic experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty developed an online reflective Discussion Board assignment. The richness of the responses prompted faculty to gather data and analyze themes. Method: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of FNP students regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their academic experience. Participants were asked four open-ended questions in a Discussion Board to address the research question. Responses of consenting students were qualitatively analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Results: Four main themes emerged: worry and fear, cyclical stress, mitigation of stress, and personal growth of resilience and empathy. Students emphasized that faculty support strategies mitigated stress and anxiety. Conclusions: Understanding the students’ experience is crucial to facilitating academic success. Faculty in similar situations could better support their students through clear communication, providing flexibility and opportunities for self-reflection.