Theme-Based Storytelling In Teaching Pharmacology To Postgraduate Nursing Students

The pharmacology course is difficult and complex for many nursing students. Pharmacology instructors yearn to create joy of learning in their classrooms. One of the time tested techniques that engages learners is storytelling. A sound storyline piques audience interest and allows them to relate and build their connections. This study aims to describe the experiences of postgraduate midwifery nursing students with theme-based storytelling in a pharmacology course. A simple descriptive qualitative design was used. Theme-based storytelling was incorporated as a teaching strategy in a clinical pharmacology course. In-depth interviews were conducted by a purposeful sampling of eight students. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was used to yield themes and sub-themes. Two main themes emerged as "affairs of the heart" and "state of the mind". The first theme consists of three subthemes "hesitant", "joy" and "warmth". The second theme consists of two subthemes, namely, "clarity" and "control". Theme-based storytelling provided a unique, unexpected, and enjoyable experience to the postgraduate midwifery nursing students.