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Park, Jo, Choi, Cho, and Bae: Nursing College Life Experiences of North Korean Defectors
Original Article

J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs 2019;30(3):324-335.

Published online: 12 September 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2019.30.3.324

Nursing College Life Experiences of North Korean Defectors

Jung Suk Park1, Eun Joo Jo2, Eun Joung Choi1, Hyun Mee Cho3, Ji Hyun Bae3

1Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan, Korea

2Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan, Korea

3Ph.D., Course, College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan, Korea

Corresponding author: Jo, Eun Joo College of Nursing, Kosin University, 262 Gamcheon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan 49267, Korea. Tel: +82-51-990-3981, Fax: +82-51-990-3970, E-mail: 112059@kosin.ac.kr

Received 11 October 2018       Revised 28 May 2019       Accepted 16 August 2019

Copyright © 2019 Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand nursing college life experiences of North Korean Defectors and identify their meanings.

Methods

The study collected data through individual in-depth interviews among six undergraduates or graduates from nursing colleges, using phenomenological research methodology of Colaizzi-one of qualitative research approaches.

Results

Six categories drawn as a result of research include ‘Be bumped against hard reality wall’, ‘Bondage of discrimination and prejudice’, ‘Endure and stand with strength of faith’, ‘Myself grown up along with work’, ‘Becoming one amid differences’, and ‘Stepping towards unification’.

Conclusion

The result of this study would contribute to understanding academic and interpersonal difficulties North Korean defectors might experience at nursing colleges. And it may also help people to learn that they would play an important role in integration of the nursing fields of South and North Korea as well as the nation's unification. Along the way, the results of the study could be basic data to establish national policy helping North Korean defectors adapt to nursing college life, and develop the supporting system of colleges as well as setting up appropriate supports and measures from the perspective of the nursing field.

Keywords: Nursing, Universities, Life, Qualitative research, Democratic People's Republic of Korea

References

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Table 1.
Theme Cluster and Theme of Nursing College Life Experience of North Korean Defectors
Theme clusters Themes
Be bumped against hard reality wall ․ Embarrassment due to different languages
․ Confusion rising from unfamiliar educational system, and being at a loss
․ Frustrated at unfamiliar work
․ Want to give up the study as I couldn't do as per my wish
Bondage of discrimination and prejudice ․ Alienated with lots of bruises ․ Unavoidable views of prejudice
․ Loneliness that must be comforted myself
․ Left alone with no real friends
Endure and stand with strength of faith ․ I feel there's praying and helping hands
․ Bear and depend on one's faith
Myself grown up along with work ․ Feel proud of the work
․ More than ever committed to work, looking into the future
Becoming one amid differences ․ First approach with open mind ․ Acknowledged for being different
Stepping towards unification ․ Prepare for the unification due to come someday
․ Dream of playing a bridge role between South and North Korea
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