When language skills support is not enough for an international nursing student to pass her placement: A case study

Abstract

This case study explores my support of a nursing student who failed her placement twice but passed all her theoretical assessments while on campus. When she failed in her second placement with the effort on merely improving her English Language skills and interpersonal skills, my professional training as a psychosynthesis counsellor and readings of Kegan’s constructive-developmental perspective of human development became useful. I focused on supporting her to find her inner strength and courage as well as self-belief. It was done through supporting her to get her prepaid year-long-bond back on a flat from a difficult landlord, thus the student experienced that she could believe in herself and in her capacity to achieve her goals when supported. She passed her third placement and has happily returned to her nursing class. The study suggests that learning advisors’ work eventually involves supporting students as human beings on their evolutionary journey