Refocusing formative feedback to enhance learning in pre-registration nurse education

The essential feature of a teaching system designed to enhance learning and emulate professional practice is that the crucial assessments should be performance-based, allowing plenty of opportunity for students to offer their own ideas and solutions. This involves the use of formative assessment and feedback. High quality formative assessment has been linked to enhancement of learning and ultimately to higher student achievement. Although formative assessment is acknowledged as important in its effect on students’ approaches to learning, it appears that the assessment practice is under utilized in pre-registration nurse education. This paper refocuses on the purpose of formative assessment of theory. It examines, from educational literature, some of the benefits of formative assessment and its pedagogical implications on deep learning, motivation and self-esteem, self-regulated learning and employability. It discusses what constitutes quality feedback to highlight that it is not just an essential component but also a central feature of formative assessment. The extent to which formative assessment and feedback can be applied to pre-registration nurse education is also explored. If formative assessment and feedback is well planned and conducted in assessment practice, it is suggested that effective learning can be facilitated in everyday learning activity.     

Education of nurse practitioners in academic nurse-managed centers: student perspectives

Clinical experiences for advanced practice nurses are increasingly a challenge. Finding settings that demonstrate primary care nursing practice in its finest form can be difficult. This article reports on nurse practitioner (NP) student feedback on clinical placements in the academic nurse-managed centers (ANMCs) associated with four Michigan schools or colleges of nursing. Student feedback was solicited over three years through site and preceptor evaluation tools and focus groups. Students were overwhelmingly satisfied with their experience in ANMCs. Being mentored by an NP preceptor in an ANMC was a valuable experience for students. They valued the role modeling of the NP and the quality of their preceptors' instruction. Students stated that the nursing model of care to which they were exposed was congruent with classroom learning. They reported learning to apply an understanding of their patients' economic, social, and cultural situations to treatment decisions and patient-education efforts and learning to understand the role of community-based care. One limitation of ANMCs from the students' perspective was a relatively low volume of patients, particularly in the initial years. However, the benefit of having time to spend with clients and to reflect on clinical practice was also articulated.     

An exploration of student nurses’ experiences of formative assessment

The idea that formative assessment has the potential to prepare students, not only to succeed in summative assessments during the course, but also in the world beyond the classroom [Melland, H., Volden, C., 1998. Classroom assessment: linking teaching and learning. Journal of Nursing Education 37(6), 275–277] fuelled the desire to explore student nurses experiences of being assessed formatively. Focus group discussion, within a UK Higher Education setting, captured the holistic, dynamic and individual experiences student nurses (n = 14) have of formative assessment. Ethical approval was obtained. Findings from three separate focus group discussions indicate that lecturers do not use the term “formative assessment” in their communication with the student nurses; student preparation and effort is greater when assessment is for summative purposes; oral feedback is preferable to written feedback which can, at times, be illegible and utilise unfamiliar vocabulary; lecturer comments are regarded as being more valuable than grades; student nurses are not being prepared for the critical feedback associated with peer review and they may, therefore, be vulnerable to the process and outcome of peer review. Thus, the UK centric focus of this small qualitative research study need not detract from its ability to add to the global knowledge base on formative assessment in nursing.     

A qualitative study of freshmen's and academic advisors' perspectives on academic advising in nursing

Many universities have established academic advisor schemes so that academic advisors play a proactive role in supporting freshmen, helping them to achieve both academic goals and personal and professional aspirations. This research aimed to explore freshmen's and academic advisors' perspectives on the academic advisor scheme of a nursing school. A total of 79 participants (74 freshmen and five academic advisors) were recruited to participate in this qualitative research. The freshmen participated in a focus group interview, with 6–10 freshmen per group, and the academic advisors participated in an individual in-depth interview. Both expressed their perspectives on academic advising in four domains: (i) relationship building, (ii) academic development, (iii) personal growth, and (iv) professional goals. Most of the freshmen were satisfied and indicated that they had benefited from the academic advisor scheme, suggesting that academic advisors played a significant role in advising and supporting them. However, the results showed that relationships between freshmen and academic advisors should be further strengthened.     

Effects of unfolding case-based learning on academic achievement,critical thinking,and self-confidence in undergraduate nursing students learning health assessment skills

AimTo determine whether using unfolding case-based learning for undergraduate nursing students learning health assessment skills enhanced academic achievement, critical thinking and self-confidence, in comparison to traditional learning methods.BackgroundUnfolding case-based learning is an effective strategy for nursing students to narrow the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice. Little is known about whether unfolding case-based learning can be applied effectively in learning health assessment skills for undergraduate nursing students in China.MethodsA quasi-experimental design was used in this study. One hundred and fifteen undergraduate nursing students were recruited using convenience sampling from a medical university in southern China. They were assigned to an intervention group (n = 54) receiving unfolding case-based learning of health assessment skills, or a control group (n = 61) using traditional learning methods based on students’ choices. Learning outcomes were evaluated by students’ academic achievement, critical thinking and self-confidence. Data for critical thinking and self-confidence were collected before and after using the teaching strategies.ResultsThe academic achievements of undergraduate nursing students in the intervention group were better than those in the control group. The total average scores of critical thinking (272.51 vs. 266.47) and self-confidence (24.92 vs. 21.04) for nursing students in the intervention group were also higher than those in the control group after implementing teaching strategies. There were statistical differences in the theory test (P = 0.041), skill test (P = 0.013), critical thinking (P = 0.008) and self-confidence (P = 0.036) between the two groups. Additionally, the statistical significance of the scores for critical thinking (264.36 vs. 272.51, P < 0.001) and self-confidence (18.76 vs. 24.92, P < 0.001) before and after teaching strategies were also observed among participants in the intervention group, but not in the control group (P = 0.143, P = 0.738).ConclusionsUnfolding case-based learning may be effective and suitable for undergraduate nursing students learning health assessment skills. The findings of this study provide useful information to nursing teachers for the development of unfolding case-based learning when teaching other nursing skills to undergraduate nursing students.     

Promoting critical thinking and academic writing skills in nurse education

Although academic skills, conceptualised as writing and critical thinking, are a vital part of university studies, research indicates that many students leave without having mastered these skills effectively. This research also reflects on nursing students. Nursing could also be said to be hampered by a number of complex educational challenges that are likely to impact on the academic socialisation process in general. These challenges include being a relatively 'young' academic discipline, the 'theory-practice' divide, a knowledge bed lying on a complex intersection of two 'antithetical sciences' and, at least in the Scandinavian countries, an increasing number of nurse educators with a PhD in nursing science but with limited time to develop their own teaching skills. In combination, these challenges have the potential to act as stumbling blocks, both from a teaching and learning perspective. I would suggest that a departure in teaching from theoretical educational models, such as Lea and Street's 'academic literacies model,' including skills, socialisation and academic literacy models simultaneously, could be one of several ways forward to create a learning environment that takes these issues into account.     

形成性评价对护理本科生自主学习能力的影响研究

目的探讨形成性评价对护理本科生自主学习能力的影响。方法选取2010级104名护理本科生为研究对象,1班52名为试验组,2班52名为对照组。试验组运用形成性评价教学和评价方式,对照组采用终结性评价方法。课程结束后,采用自主学习能力评定量表和课程满意度问卷对学生进行调查。结果试验组学生自主学习能力总分及学习意识、学习策略、学习行为、学习评价和人际交流得分均高于对照组(P<0.05);试验组学生在授课方式、教学安排、考评方式的满意度高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论形成性评价得到了学生认可,且能提高护理本科生的自主学习能力。     

Thematic analysis of written assignment feedback: Implications for nurse education

This paper is a thematic review of the literature on written assignment feedback. Feedback is now accepted as a key factor affecting learning and, in educational settings, the term feedback is used in the context of assessments, where its main function is to provide information about students’ current performance as well as constructive comments that enhances future learning. Theoretical frameworks for interpreting students’ responses to feedback are reviewed. The perceptions of feedback by students and lecturers are considered with a more detailed analysis of the form of feedback which provides a basis for discussion on quality feedback and how improvements can be made.     

Podcasts and videostreaming: Useful tools to facilitate learning of pathophysiology in undergraduate nurse education?

Nurses require an understanding of pathophysiological processes to support safe practice in the clinical area. A review of the literature indicates that nursing students have traditionally found this to be a challenging element of the course. The increasing availability of newer technology in higher education such as videostreaming and podcasting provides the opportunity to utilise a variety of approaches to cater for a wider range of learning styles. In view of this, lecturers developed multimedia resources to incorporate into a pathophysiology module. An evaluation of students’ views on the use of ICT to facilitate understanding of pathophysiology was undertaken. The majority of students appeared to welcome the incorporation of alternative teaching approaches into the module. Interestingly despite the opportunities which technology offers to enhance learning many of the students also highlighted the importance of maintaining significant face-to-face contact with lecturers. This supports the findings of the literature which indicates that students find hybrid learning strategies that combine traditional teaching with more innovative methods particularly beneficial.     

Student feedback on teaching: Some issues for consideration for nurse educators

In this paper, we outline some key points about student feedback for nurse educators to consider. For nursing students, providing feedback offers an opportunity to communicate whether relevant and effective learning has occurred. Given the importance of student feedback for the quality of learning and teaching, and the significant resources invested in it, it is essential that accurate feedback is obtained and responded to by nurse educators. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to present an overview of factors influencing the quality and reliability of student feedback of their theoretical and clinical learning experiences, and ways the feedback might be used by educators for improving teaching and career enhancement. Nurse educators need to be prepared to respond to well‐intentioned feedback without undue defensiveness to ensure good and effective teaching. Ultimately, feedback systems that are well managed should benefit nursing students, nurse educators and their respective institutions.     

PBL教学法在本科护生耳鼻喉科临床护理教学中的应用

目的:探讨PBL教学法在本科护生耳鼻喉科临床护理教学中的应用效果。方法:将82名本科护生随机分为PBL组和对照组各41例,分别采用PBL教学法和传统带教方法进行耳鼻喉科临床护理教学。实习1个月后,对两组护生综合考核成绩和各项能力指标进行测评。结果:PBL组综合考核成绩和各项能力指标均明显高于对照组(P0.05或0.01)。结论:PBL教学法能使本科护生更好地将护理理论知识与临床实践相结合,明显提高护生耳鼻喉科临床护理综合实践能力。     

军队护士幸福感与护士绩效相关研究

目的:探讨军队护士幸福感与护士工作绩效之间的相互关系。方法:采用总体幸福感量表(GWB)实施问卷调查,采用总体幸福感问卷结果和本组"优秀护士"所占比重分别作为心理健康水平和护士工作绩效评价指标。结果:本组样本"优秀护士"与总体幸福感存在相关性(P<0.01)。结论:军队护士工作绩效与护士幸福感存在相关性,通过心理干预提升护士幸福感、改善心理健康水平,有助于提升护理工作绩效。