Il contributo della “Clinica della formazione” nell’esplorazione dell’hidden curriculum : una ricerca-intervento con un gruppo di infermieri-formatori italiani

Introduction: the analysis of the hidden curriculum (Hc) is considered crucial to understand positive/negative influences on students’ learning about professionalism. Most studies have concentrated on students’ experience, while recently the inclusion of Faculty in Hc analysis has been advocated. Methods: in 2010, a purposive sample of 25 Italian Faculty, from twenty Italian nursing schools, was selected to explore participants’ previous training, representation of nurses’ current education, and their image of the nursing student. Data consisted of: written eaningful episodes about participant’s training, written critical analysis of the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman”, and drawings about participants’ representation of the student. Faculty were involved in data-analysis. Results: Faculty’s undergraduate training was mostly characterized by demeaning experiences, verbal violence and inadequate patient’s consideration. Nevertheless, in clinical contexts they also found positive models of caring that nurtured their resilience. The educational model depicted in the movie (violent and punitive) was in the end recognized as effective in making the cadets achieve their goals and building professional identity. Nursing students were mostly portrayed alone, struggling with the difficult path of the nursing curriculum. Conclusions: our study illuminated some aspects of the so-called “evil Hc”, from the Faculty perspective. More research is needed on resources to cope with such a Hc.