간호대학생이 경험한 성소수자 인식

Nursing College Students’ Perceptions and Experiences of Sexual Minorities: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: This study explored the meaning and essence of nursing students’ perceptions of and experiences with sexual minorities. Methods: From June to August 2025, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten third- and fourth-year nursing students from a nursing college located in G Province who had clinical practice experience. Data were analyzed using Giorgi’s phenomenological method. Results: Nursing students’ perceptions of sexual minorities were classified into four categories: “accidental encounters with the unfamiliar and uncomfortable”, “negative perceptions and ambivalent feelings”, “from social prejudice to understanding and empathy, and “recognition of the need for respect and social change”. Conclusion: Nursing students’ perceptions of sexual minorities reflect a sense of professional responsibility that extends beyond personal attitudes and encompasses cultural acceptance and advocacy in nursing practice. To strengthen nurses’ capacity to care for sexual minorities, nursing education should aim to foster the internalization of understanding, respect, and advocacy rather than focusing solely on the transmission of fragmented information.