Background: Clinical studies in nursing education ought to create conditions for the students to link theory to praxis. Previous research in this field focuses on the gap between theory and practice, learning environments, supervision and reflection connected to caring and learning. In addition there are studies that propose the concept of learning and caring as intertwined. The aim of this study is to describe how caring and learning is intertwined from a student perspective. Methods: The study was carried out using Reflective Lifeworld Research (RLR) with a phenomenological approach. Lifeworld interviews were conducted with students after their clinical placement on a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU). Results: The essential meaning is a movement where caring and learning fall into place which appears in an atmosphere filled with appealing challenges, but has to be sensitive to the students’ readiness. The atmosphere depends on their sense of security and how they experience confirming and affirming responses. Encountering the patient means that the students can gain a sense of the whole and the theory falls into place. The results also highlight how the student, in this atmosphere, has a desire to find a new role in a personal style. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the importance of supporting the students in understanding learning and caring as intertwined and not separated. A dualistic approach could harm the students’ aim to get the knowledge embodied. This holistic perspective requires a reflective attitude on caring and learning and has to be further developed in the didactics and supervision.

The purpose of this study is to describe how patients perceive being cared for by student nurses, in aclinical context in the form of a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU). The study has been performed with aReflective Lifeworld Research (RLR) approach grounded in phenomenology. Lifeworld interviews wereconducted with patients who had received care from student nurses on an orthopaedic DEU and datahave been analysed for meanings. The findings reveal how patients experience to be carried along as apart of the students' learning process. This is described in more detail via the constituents: a mutualinvitation to participate, the importance of genuine encounters, and essential support. Patients experienceboth a stable and a less stable care in a learning environment and it is thus essential for them to beinvited to be a part of both the students' learning process and their own health process. The findings alsohighlight the key role of the supervisors for patients' sense of security. Finally there are indications thatconcepts such as DEU with a lifeworld-led didactic, based on reflection on both the patients' stories andthe students' experiences, can create learning environments that support patients' health processes andalso students’ learning processes.

Supervising student nurses in clinical praxis entails dealing with both caring and learning aspects. There is a dearth of research focusing on both the caring and learning aspects in supervision. The present study describes how caring and learning is intertwined in supervision. The study was performed with a Reflective Lifeworld Research approach and analyzed phenomenologically for meanings. Eight interviews were conducted with supervisors on an orthopedic-dedicated education unit. The findings reveal how supervisors constantly move in order to be either close to or standing back, adjusting to the students’ and the patients’ needs. This is described in more detail via the constituents: handling responsibility in constant movement, participating in a new and different way, coexisting with students creates meaning and development. The findings show that a reflective attitude in supervision , clear structure for daily activities, and a lifeworld-led didactics can promote a learning and caring environment. Supervisors’ demanding task requires pauses in order to maintain motivation among supervisors. A mutual link between supervisors, students and patients is crucial in order to create an environment where caring and learning are intertwined. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.