Abstract

This research examined changes in relationships experienced
by students undertaking the Diploma of Higher Education in
Nursing (DipHE Nursing). Anecdotal reports suggested a high level of relationship distress among nursing students. Using a triangulation approach, 10 students were initially interviewed to discuss how their experiences of the course influenced their lives outside college. The findings of these interviews were subsequently tested by examining
the relationship pathways of 135 students drawn from seven cohorts of students across five centres of nurse education in the East Midlands. Of these, 58 were in permanent relationships at the beginning of the course but, by the end, 20 had permanently separated from their partners. On average, this occurred 8 months into the course and was precipitated by distress associated with role development and time pressures. Role conflicts and time pressures have also been implicated in marital distress in other areas of adult education. Therefore, these findings are likely to be of interest to other areas of higher education that recruit similar groups of students.