Table 1 Application of the structural components presented in the model
Structural components: | |||
Framework: External and internal environment | |||
Meaning of the symbol | Meaning of the colour | Application in the model | |
The framework is presented by a rectangle (a geometric shape that symbolises structure and order) [23]. It is associated with rationality, practicality and conformity [23]. The rectangle is used to portray safety and containment to appear efficient, grounded and accessible to a wider audience [24] | “Green” is a cool secondary colour [25] that represents balance, renewal and growth. It is the symbol of prosperity and progress [24]. It is a healing colour associated with security [24] | The green rectangle represents the framework and includes both the external and internal environment by bringing a sense of visual balance within this environment, illustrating the dynamic influence of the environmental elements. The centre gradient moving outwards in circles illustrates the dynamic and complex nature as well as the interconnectedness between the internal and external environment. The outside represents the external environment that includes the governing acts, and mandatory rules and regulations as set out by the regulatory bodies. This provides for the legal, ethical and professional frameworks in which the nurse educator practices and must be adhered to when planning, presenting and evaluating the educational encounter. The larger inner circle represents the internal environment consisting of the mediated teaching–learning environment, meaningful relationships, attributes of the nurse educator and nursing students, the teaching–learning process as well as the outcome of the model | |
Agent 1: The nurse educator | |||
Meaning of the symbol | Meaning of the colour | Application in the model | |
The nurse educator resembles a star. “Stars” are regarded as protective and guiding symbols and are widely used as a symbol of something good and positive, and are associated with conveying positive messages [26]. In this model, the symbol of a star is associated with conveying positive messages that symbolise new beginnings, a “symbol of hope and truth” [26] | “Blue” is the colour of the ocean and the sky, resembling endless opportunities. As the saying goes, “the sky is the limit”. Blue is a cool primary colour [25] that symbolises serenity, stability, inspiration and reliability. It is associated with intelligence, responsibility, professionalism and trust [27]. The colour blue also resembles certain personality strengths | The agent is the person(s) who performs the activity. In this model, agents are nurse educators (agent 1) and nursing students (agent 2) who are co-constructers in the educational encounter. The nurse educator (agent 1) is resembled by the blue 5-pointed star because they are the first line of contact when nursing students enter the nursing profession. The nurse educator is a role model associated with this symbol of “hope and truth” for creating new beginnings and life-long learning in the lives of nursing students. When nursing students feel lost and do not know what to do or where to go, they turn to nurse educators for guidance and protection. The 5-pointed star represents the attributes of the nurse educator when practising a “way of being”. These attributes are grouped under five categories associated with each point of the star and include (1) role model, (2) professional, personal and moral maturity, (3) relational skills, (4) openness, and (5) empowerment | |
Agent 2: The nursing student | |||
Meaning of the symbol | Meaning of the colour | Application in the model | |
The sun is a symbol of power, growth and health. The sun represents new beginnings and hope and demonstrates a sense of unity and perfection [24]. Nursing students are the next generation of professionals who are a symbol of hope for new beginnings in the nursing profession | The colour “yellow” is associated with the sun and symbolises optimism, energy, joy, happiness and friendship [27]. Yellow is a warm primary colour [25] that represents happiness, hope, positivity and spontaneity | The agent is the person(s) who performs the activity. In this model, agents are nurse educators (agent 1) and nursing students (agent 2) who are co-constructers in the educational encounter Nursing students (agent 2) need to be present during the delivery of quality patient care by remaining hopeful despite being confronted with sad moments, demonstrating positivity in difficult circumstances, and the ability to appreciate happiness in the moment. The yellow sun represents nursing students as new beginnings, full of hope, demonstrating a sense of unity, happiness, positivity and remaining in the moment. Nursing students as adult learners enter into the teaching–learning process with their self-concept, past experiences, readiness to learn and orientation to learning | |
Procedure: The teaching–learning process | |||
Meaning of the symbol | Meaning of the colour | Application in the model | |
A spiral is a geometric shape with three-dimensional curves with one or more turns around a centre point. It represents transformation and moving in an anti-clockwise direction, it symbolises change and development [23]. The procedure is represented by the spiral shape to illustrate the connection and community between the nurse educator and nursing students in the teaching–learning process | “Red” is a warm primary colour [25]. The colour red is associated with physical energy, courage and will. It symbolises stability, security, action, and physical and emotional survival [27] | The red spiral represents the procedure for facilitating presence through guided reflection for transformative learning. It is a continuous and ongoing process taking place between the nurse educator and nursing students to achieve set targets. The nurse educator facilitates presence by being attentive and aware of their needs and demonstrating consideration towards their feelings. Using reflection in the educational encounter leads to transformative learning. This is achieved when nursing students demonstrate a positive change in their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviour resulting in transforming the way they learn in the classroom and act in practice | |
Dynamics: An authentic reflective encounter | |||
Meaning of the symbol | Meaning of the colour | Application in the model | |
An arrow is a sign consisting of a straight line with an outward-pointing V shape at either end (indicating direction). It symbolises reaching your goals and achieving your targets. The arrow resembles the direction in which the process moves to achieve the set targets | “Orange” is a warm secondary colour [25]. It is an energetic and creative colour that stimulates action [27]. It symbolises feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, warmth and determination [27]. Orange represents strength and endurance | The dynamics are the energy that drives the process. In this model, it is a mutual need for an authentic reflective encounter between the nurse educator and nursing students where they develop an interpersonal connection. The orange upward- and down-pointing arrow resembles the direction in which the process moves and symbolises determination and endurance of nurse educators and nursing students to achieve their goals and set targets. It represents the fact that potential nurse educators have to facilitate presence through guided reflection that leads to transformational learning energetically and creatively. The energy that drives the process in this practice model is the constant authentic reflective encounter that takes place between the nurse educator and nursing students, enabling the nursing students to grow into safe, caring and reflective nurse practitioners who are present during the delivery of patient care by transforming the way they feel, think, care and act in practice | |
Recipients and terminus: NEI (producing present and reflective nurse practitioners); nursing profession (professional practice development); and patients (quality nursing care) | |||
Meaning of the symbol | Meaning of the colour | Application in the model | |
A vertical scroll is a roll of paper that varies in length and has been written on. It is used to transmit information. The scroll resembles a partly unrolled sheet of paper having a spiral form at both ends and can be attached to a wooden stick to make it easier to handle. The intention of a scroll is to be used repeatedly | The “blue-yellow” gradient colour illustrates a linear diagonal-top left to bottom right gradient representing a gradual blending from one colour (blue) to another (yellow) from colours of two different tones. “Blue” is a cool primary colour that symbolises stability, inspiration and reliability and is associated with responsibility, professionalism and trust [25, 27]. “Yellow” is a warm primary colour that represents happiness, hope, positivity and spontaneity [25, 27] | The benefits and outcome of the model embody interconnectedness. The recipient and terminus are combined into one structure. The recipients are the persons who will benefit from the activity. In this model, the NEIs (recipient 1), nursing professionals (recipient 2) and patients (recipient 3). The terminus is the outcome of this authentic reflective encounter comprising present and reflective nurse practitioners, professional practice development and quality nursing care. The blue-yellow vertical scroll represents the progressive transition of nursing students resulting from the authentic reflective encounter between the nurse educator and nursing students. It symbolises the transformation of nursing students into present and reflective nursing practitioners produced by the NEI. By increasing nurses’ awareness of presence, one can transform the way they think, care and act in practice leading to professional practice development. Qualified nurse practitioners who enter clinical practice as reflective nurse practitioners by being physically, psychologically and emotionally present with the patient will be able to understand and support patients’ needs more effectively, resulting in quality nursing care | |
Connecting line | |||
The orange up-pointed curved arrow | |||
Meaning of the symbol | Meaning of the colour | Application in the model | |
The up-pointed curved arrow consists of a curved line ending with an upside-down V shape pointing in a specific direction. It symbolises reaching your goals and achieving your targets. The curved line creates familiarity, and comfort and is interesting to follow | The colour “orange” is a warm secondary colour [25]. Orange is an energetic and creative colour that stimulates action. It symbolises feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, warmth and determination [27]. The colour orange also represents strength and endurance | The orange up-pointed curved arrow illustrates the outcome of the authentic reflective encounter where the nurse educator facilitates presence through guided reflection for transformative learning. It points out the direction in which the process moves to achieve the set targets. These targeted recipients include the NEIs, the nursing profession and patients who will benefit from this activity | |