E-portfolio functional requirements for the final semester baccalaureate practicum course: A qualitative research study

BackgroundThe purpose of the nursing practicum course is to enable students to integrate cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills into professional competencies prior to clinical work. With advances in information technology, e-portfolio focusing on individualized learning, reflection, and self-management has received positive consideration. The nursing profession has since adopted it as part of nursing education.PurposeThis study explored the needs and perceptions of students in a baccalaureate nursing program regarding the use of e-portfolio in the final semester practicum course.MethodThis study used semi-structured focus group interviews and applied the principles of content analysis to interview content.ResultsFour key research themes were revealed: (1) anticipated functions achieved, (2) ease of uploading data and showcasing learning results (3) functionality extensions to enhance mobile learning, and (4) policy guidelines for mandatory use and plagiarism prevention.ConclusionE-portfolio assists in integrating knowledge, practical skills, and achievement recognition into the learning process. The use of e-portfolio with upgrades can enable learning of clinical competencies by students in preparation for clinical nursing practice.     

Self-efficacy and concerns of nursing students regarding clinical experiences

BackgroundIt is important for nurses to provide safe, high-quality care for patients, and clinical experiences allow nursing students to integrate theory into practice. However, many students have anxiety about clinical rotations.ObjectivesThe concerns of nursing students about clinical experiences and factors relating to self-efficacy in a rural Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program were examined.DesignThis was a mixed-methods study, and students were surveyed prior to and at the end of their clinical experiences.SettingThe study location is a public liberal arts university in the rural, southeast United States.ParticipantsJunior level students (first and second semester) and senior level students (first and second semester) levels of BSN students participated in this project.ResultsQualitative themes were identified, including concerns regarding clinical competence, expectations of learning, aspects of patient/peer/instructor interactions, as well as learning strategies and preferences. The student's level of confidence regarding communication to patients and physicians, assessment of heart and lung sounds, interview skills, documentation, and discussion of nursing procedures increased significantly from pre to post-survey. Confidence levels in physical assessment skills rose significantly after the clinical experience (t′ = −6.3718 with 140 df, p < .001).ConclusionStrategies that nurse educators can use prior to, during, and after the clinical experience to address student concerns about clinical experiences include the use of caring, competent clinical instructors, orientation to clinical sites, laboratory and simulation days, self-reflection, peer-support, and debriefing.     

Deliberate practice and self-recorded demonstration of skill proficiency: One baccalaureate nursing school’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

AimThe purpose of this study was to determine whether using self-video recording of the skill competency assessment would promote deliberate practice of nursing skills, clinical skill proficiency, limit virtual high stakes testing anxiety and facilitate progression of first semester baccalaureate nursing students during the global COVID-19 pandemic.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted during the Spring 2020 semester using self-reported student data from an end of course survey.MethodsA 16 item instructor-designed survey of student’s perceptions of critical thinking, preparation, availability of materials, practice, video recording skill demonstrations, self-reported levels of anxiety related to the virtual testing environment and type of skill assessment exam was provided to all first semester baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in the basic nursing skills course.ResultsApproximately half of the cohort (N = 33) voluntarily responded to the instructor designed survey. The greatest relationship was observed between ‘adequate information for each version’ of the test and ‘adequate time to prepare’ (rho (32) = 0.729 p = 0.000). Although 54.6% (n = 18) of the respondents believed performing the demonstration in the home environment caused them to ‘think harder’ about the tasks, 78.8% (n = 26) reported feeling less anxiety than while performing previous demonstrations in the lab. A Wilcoxon test examined the results of the anxiety for demonstration on campus and anxiety for demonstration at home and a significant difference was found (p = 0.000, 95% CI) indicating anxiety levels were significantly less when demonstrating in the home environment. A moderate positive correlation was identified between opportunity to repeat with less stress at home (rho (32) = 0.61, p = 0.000), while moderate negative correlations were found between opportunity to repeat and anxiety levels related to recording (rho (32) = −0.60, p = 0.000), opportunity to repeat and anxiety related to demonstration at home (rho (32) = −0.53, p = 0.002) and concern about recording and opportunity to repeat (rho (32) = −0.49, p = 0.004).ConclusionsStudent success using remote assessment strategies during the Spring 2020 semester was similar to the success rate using traditional skill assessment methods in Fall 2019. Although the need for prompt feedback was identified as an area of improvement to promote deliberate practice, student video recording of skill proficiency was a viable solution for comprehensive remote assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic and campus closure. Although further study is recommended, findings have international implications for virtual teaching and learning in nursing education.     

Integrating technology in skills lab: Using smartphones for urinary catheter validation

Nurse educators are challenged to promote student success in all learning environments. Historically, students had increased anxiety associated with poor outcomes for indwelling urinary catheter skill validation. Faculty were looking for alternative ways to reduce stress, improve learning, and achieve successful student skill validations.The purpose of this process change project was to implement and evaluate an innovative teaching strategy of a psychomotor skill. Specifically, the integration of smartphone technology, self-evaluation, and peer feedback on indwelling urinary catheter skill validation was implemented and student perceptions of this strategy were evaluated. Throughout two, four-hour skills lab sessions, 81 students in the second semester of a baccalaureate program in nursing participated in peer pairs where they used smartphones to video and refine their indwelling urinary catheter skills through self-reflection and peer feedback.Students reported the utilization of technology and peer feedback positively enhanced learning and “decreased anxiety”. However, students agreed integrating technology into a psychomotor skill validation was not without challenges. However, the benefits outweighed the challenges providing implications for nursing education to use smartphones to evaluate a psychomotor skill as a strategy to integrate technology, self-reflection, and peer feedback into a clinical skills lab environment.     

Describing clinical faculty experiences with patient safety and quality care in acute care settings: A mixed methods study

BackgroundA major safety initiative in acute care settings across the United States has been to transform hospitals into High Reliability Organizations. The initiative requires developing cognitive awareness, best practices, and infrastructure so that all healthcare providers including clinical faculty are accountable to deliver quality and safe care.ObjectiveTo describe the experience of baccalaureate clinical nursing faculty concerning safety and near miss events, in acute care hospital settings.MethodsA mixed method approach was used to conduct the pilot study. Nurse faculty (n = 18) completed study surveys from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to track patient safety concerns: Incidents; Near misses; or Unsafe conditions, during one academic semester, within 9 different acute care hospitals. Additionally, seven nurse faculty participated in end of the semester focus groups to discuss the semester long experience.ResultsClinical faculty identified a total of 24 patient occurrences: 15 Incidents, 1 Near miss event, and 8 Unsafe conditions. Focus group participants (n = 7) described benefits and challenges experienced by nursing clinical faculty and students in relation to the culture of safety in acute care hospital settings. Six themes resulted from the content analysis.ConclusionsUtilizing nursing clinical faculty and students may add significant value to promoting patient safety and the delivery of quality care, within acute care hospital settings.     

Nurse faculty perceptions of readiness for practice among new nurses graduating during the pandemic

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic caused major changes in nursing education, namely a shift to remote learning and significant reduction of clinical practice experience. It is not known how these changes will affect new graduate nurses transitioning to practice.PurposeTo provide guidance to transition-to-practice programs, this study quantitatively described and compared nurse faculty perceptions of readiness for practice among students who graduated pre-pandemic and those who will graduate during the pandemic.MethodsA convenience sample of 116 nurse faculty across North Carolina completed surveys online. Surveys collected information on demographics, professional experience, and teaching changes experienced during the pandemic. The Nursing Practice Readiness Tool was used to measure perceptions of readiness for practice.ResultsNurse faculty reported a wide range of changes due to the pandemic, with limitations in clinical learning prevalent. There was a statistically significant decrease in practice readiness scores for the total scale, six subscales, and all tool items at p < 0.001 for all paired comparisons.ConclusionsWhile there was an overall significant decrease in scores for all competency areas, further analysis of the tool subscales and items can provide guidance for clinical nurses working with new graduates and nurse faculty working with continuing students.     

Scenario-based clinical simulation: Bridging the gap between intern-students’ anxiety and provision of holistic nursing care for preterm neonates

AimThis study aimed to determine the effect of Scenario-Based Clinical Simulation (SBCS) on nursing students’ anxiety and skills related to providing holistic nursing care for preterm neonates.BackgroundNursing students who are caring for preterm neonates experience high level of anxiety that might negatively influence their clinical performance. Clinical nurse educators face the challenge of preparing skilful and competent students within the constraints of limited orientation time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The application of SBCS provides students with opportunities to practice critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills, pose questions and remediate their clinical deficiencies in non-threatening learning enviroment.DesignA quasi-experimental, two groups, pre-post test study was carried out in the NICU of Specialized Hospital at Smouha, Alexandria.MethodSixty students completed a baseline skills assessment, as students' clinical skills were scored on a 148-item checklist and participants rated their anxiety. All participants received a didactic lecture and demonstrated nursing procedures. Research team facilitated an interactive SBCS session for the intervention group focused on the holistic care of preterm neonates and the common health problems affecting them. Two weeks later, two independent raters re-assessed the students' skills on the admitted preterms, and participants completed the anxiety questionnaire again.ResultsIt is revealed that all participants in the intervention group (100%) had good skills after two weeks of SBCS compared to 20% of the control group (P < 0.001). Moreover, 43.3% of the nursing students in control group experienced severe anxiety compared to only 6.7% of those in the intervention group who attended the SBCS (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe application of SBCS in NICU provided an interactive learning experience, improved and sustained students' clinical skills. They reflected on their performance and remediated their skills in a conducive environment. So, they encountered less anxiety while providing holistic care for preterm neonates.     

Is Moulage effective in improving clinical skills of nursing students for the assessment of pressure injury?

BackgroundIn wound care simulations, the practice can be performed on 3D-wounds formed by moulage. Moulage helps the student to perceive the etiology, physiology, and healing processes of the wound, and it can also be used to improve the students' wound assessment skills.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of moulage in the improvement of pressure injury assessment skills of nursing students.DesignA quasi-experimental study.SettingsA nursing faculty at a public university.ParticipantsAll fourth-year students (n = 73) who take the simulation elective course were invited to participate.MethodsFall semester students (n = 38) constituted the control group and spring semester students (n = 35) formed the intervention group. The coin-flipping method was used to match the education period and student groups. The intervention group simulation was performed using moulage, and the control group simulation was performed using a pressure ulcer visuals. The same simulation scenarios were used for both groups. The data were collected using the Simulation Design Scale, Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence Scale, and student identification form, knowledge test, performance checklist and feedback form developed by the researchers.ResultsStudents' knowledge scores for pressure injury assessment have improved significantly in both the intervention group (pre-test:61.71 ± 9.77 and post-test 70.57 ± 12.53, t = −4.27, p < 0.001) and the control group (pre-test: 66.81 ± 13.47 and post-test 73.06 ± 15.50, t = −2.34, p = 0.02). Laboratory and clinical pressure injury assessment skill scores of the intervention group students were significantly higher than the control group. Besides, the correct staging percentages of the intervention group students are higher than the control group students during the clinical practice (χ2 = 5.05, p = 0.02).ConclusionsIt can be concluded that the simulation with moulage was effective in improving the skills of nursing students who received training for pressure injury assessment and in transferring what they learned to the clinical setting.     

Exploring the meaning of undergraduate nursing students' experiences and confidence in clinical skills using video

BackgroundStudents and health care faculty staff report a lack of confidence in graduating nurses' clinical skills practice. Traditional approaches to support nursing students' clinical skills development have relied on small group, face-to-face, practice-based learning in clinical laboratories. However, with changing curricula, increased numbers of students, and pressure on laboratory timetables and availability, alternate methods of delivery are necessary to ensure students gain confidence in the development of their clinical skills. Video podcasting is an innovative approach that is being used to stimulate active and ongoing learning of clinical skills.DesignA hermeneutic phenomenological approach.MethodData were collected through in-depth interviews with 10 second-year, undergraduate nursing students about their experiences using three clinical skills video podcasts and their perceptions of how this impacted on their learning of these clinical skills and confidence in practice.FindingsThree themes emerged from the data: ‘Accessibility for learning the skill’; ‘Preparation for learning and practice’; and ‘Student-directed learning’. These themes provided an insight into the students' engagement with video podcasts, demonstrating their sense of confidence was increased in clinical skills development.ConclusionThe findings of this study provide an insight into the students' engagement with video podcasts in relation to their confidence in clinical skills development, and indicate that undergraduate nursing students value the use of video podcasts in their learning of clinical skills. However, it was evident that students still value face-to-face delivery to guide their study, which suggests that video podcasts could be used as an adjunct to teaching to support learning.     

Anxiety,mental illness,learning disabilities,and learning accommodation use: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundNurse educators require a robust understanding of nursing students' attributes to meet their learning needs and support their success.PurposeThis research seeks to understand the proportion of nursing students with self-reported medically diagnosed anxiety, mental illnesses (MI), learning disabilities (LD), and utilized learning accommodations (LA), and determine how these students compared to a normative sample regarding studying and test-taking anxiety.MethodA secondary analysis of quantitative cross-sectional data that included the Academic Success Inventory for College Students (ASICS) tool. First-year students were surveyed (4–6 weeks after program start, and students in years 1 through 4 were surveyed at the end of both academic terms.ResultsAt program start, 21% were diagnosed with anxiety, 16% with MI, 2% with a LD, and 6% accessed LA. By fourth-year these proportions were 23%, 22%, 8% and 13% respectively. Alarming proportions of respondents exhibited anxiety related to test-taking compared to the ASICS normative sample with large effect sizes (Anxiety h = 0.884; MI h = 0.601; LD: h = 2.094; LA h = 0.725).ConclusionTo support students, we highlight a need for early identification and tailored support, enriched faculty knowledge, faculty introspection and willingness to adapt, and time for relational and individual pedagogy.     

Comparing the effects of problem-based learning and the traditional lecture method on critical thinking skills and metacognitive awareness in nursing students in a critical care nursing course

BackgroundProblem-based learning (PBL) is a method used to develop cognitive and metacognitive skills in nursing students.ObjectivesThe present study was conducted to compare the effects of PBL and the traditional lecture method on critical thinking skills and metacognitive awareness in nursing students in a critical care nursing course.DesignThe present study was conducted with a quasi-experimental, single group, pretest-posttest design.MethodsA group of third-year nursing students (n = 40) were recruited from Khorramabad School of Nursing and Midwifery in the west of Iran. The lecture method was used in one group over the first eight weeks of the first semester and PBL was adopted in the second eight weeks. Standardized self-report questionnaires including The California Critical Thinking Skills Test-B (CCTST-B) and the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) were administered before and after the use of each of the instruction methods. Data were analyzed in SPSS using the paired t-test.FindingsNo significant changes were observed in the students' critical thinking skills and metacognitive awareness after performing the lecture method. However, a significant increase was observed in the overall critical thinking score (P < 0.01) and its sub-scales of evaluation and deduction (P < 0.05) and in the overall metacognitive awareness score (P < 0.001) after performing the PBL method.     

The effect of laughter yoga applied before simulation training on state anxiety,perceived stress levels,self-confidence and satisfaction in undergraduate nursing students: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial

AimThis study aimed to examine the effect of laughter yoga applied before simulation training on state anxiety, perceived stress levels, self-confidence and satisfaction in undergraduate nursing students.BackgroundClinical simulation-based teaching implied a revolution in nursing education. Along with the many opportunities that simulation offers, some disadvantages, such as anxiety and stress experienced during simulation scenarios, could affect students’ satisfaction and self-confidence in learning. Therefore, laughter yoga could be an alternative method that reduces students' anxiety and stress levels and increases their self-confidence and satisfaction with simulation training.DesignThe study was designed as a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.SettingThis study was conducted at a university in Turkey.ParticipantsA total of 88 undergraduate nursing students were randomized to the intervention group (n = 44) or control group (n = 44).MethodsThe intervention group participated in the laughter yoga sessions just before the clinical simulation scenario, while the control group only performed the simulation training. The researchers examined the effect of laughter yoga on state anxiety, perceived stress levels, self-confidence and satisfaction in learning before and after the intervention. Data were collected between January - February 2022.ResultsThis study showed that the mean scores of state anxiety, perceived stress, mean pulse rate and arterial pressure of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, there was also a significant group*time interaction between the groups on state anxiety, perceived stress, pulse, respiratory and mean arterial pressure scores (p < 0.05). Moreover, the mean scores of student satisfaction and self-confidence in the learning of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe findings showed that laughter yoga helped nursing students reduce their state anxiety and perceived stress levels related to simulation training and improved their self-confidence and satisfaction with learning. Additionally, it enhanced the students' vital signs (including mean pulse rate and mean arterial pressure). These positive results are promising for using LY as an easy, safe and effective method to reduce undergraduate nursing students’ stress and anxiety levels and to improve their learning satisfaction and self-confidence levels in clinical skills training such as simulation training.     

Advancing student nurse knowledge of the biomedical sciences: A mixed methods study

BackgroundNursing students' ability to learn, integrate and apply bioscience knowledge to their clinical practice remains a concern.ObjectivesTo evaluate the implementation, influence, and student perspective of a team-teaching workshop to integrate bioscience theory with clinical nursing practice.DesignThe team-teaching workshop was offered prior to commencement of the university semester as a refresher course at an Australian university. This study employed a sequential explanatory mixed methods design incorporating both quantitative and qualitative items.MethodsAn evaluation survey with quantitative and qualitative items and a focus group were employed. The qualitative data were analysed using a thematic approach. The quantitative data was combined with the emergent themes in the qualitative data.ParticipantsParticipants were final year nursing students. Nine students attended the workshop. All students completed the evaluation (N = 9) and 44.4% (N = 4) attended the focus group.ResultsThe results revealed six themes: (1) lectures are an inadequate teaching strategy for bioscience; (2) teaching strategies which incorporate active learning engage students; (3) the team-teaching workshop provides an effective learning environment; (4) the workshop content should be expanded; (5) pharmacology should relate to bioscience, and bioscience should relate to nursing; and (6) team-teaching was effective in integrating pharmacology with bioscience, and then translating this into nursing practice. Students had felt there was disjointedness between pharmacology and bioscience, and between bioscience and nursing care within their undergraduate studies. The workshop that was based on team-teaching bridged those gaps, utilised active learning strategies and provided an effective learning environment.ConclusionTeam-teaching that employs active learning strategies is an effective approach to assist nursing students to integrate bioscience knowledge into their nursing practice.     

Increasing nursing students' understanding and accuracy with medical dose calculations: A collaborative approach

BackgroundAccurate calculation of medication dosages can be challenging for nursing students. Specific interventions related to types of errors made by nursing students may improve the learning of this important skill.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine areas of challenge for students in performing medication dosage calculations in order to design interventions to improve this skill.DesignStrengths and weaknesses in the teaching and learning of medication dosage calculations were assessed. These data were used to create online interventions which were then measured for the impact on student ability to perform medication dosage calculations.SettingThe setting of the study is one university in Canada.ParticipantsThe qualitative research participants were 8 nursing students from years 1–3 and 8 faculty members. Quantitative results are based on test data from the same second year clinical course during the academic years 2012 and 2013.MethodsStudents and faculty participated in one-to-one interviews; responses were recorded and coded for themes. Tests were implemented and scored, then data were assessed to classify the types and number of errors.ResultsStudents identified conceptual understanding deficits, anxiety, low self-efficacy, and numeracy skills as primary challenges in medication dosage calculations. Faculty identified long division as a particular content challenge, and a lack of online resources for students to practice calculations. Lessons and online resources designed as an intervention to target mathematical and concepts and skills led to improved results and increases in overall pass rates for second year students for medication dosage calculation tests.ConclusionThis study suggests that with concerted effort and a multi-modal approach to supporting nursing students, their abilities to calculate dosages can be improved. The positive results in this study also point to the promise of cross-discipline collaborations between nursing and education.     

COVID-19 stories of success: Teaching and learning in a clinical setting during a pandemic

IntroductionThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic halted in-person activities in universities and caused disruption in the usual iteration of the semesters. When the clinical environment resumed student placement, the potential health risks caused additional anxiety to the students and clinical faculty. This paper aims to examine the measures implemented to support the radiation therapy students during their first clinical placement during the COVID-19 pandemic.BackgroundThe 2nd year radiation therapy students’ first clinical placement was organized around pandemic restrictions that required new activities to support student safety and wellness. The clinical faculty team redesigned the clinical course to integrate enhanced communication, additional safety measures and mental wellness sessions, as well as making COVID-19 related resources available during the week-long orientation and throughout the semester.MethodsRegistered students were asked to participate in a 9-item survey questionnaire to gather their perspective on the effectiveness of the orientation and clinical activities during the pandemic. The responses were tabulated and independently analyzed for emergent themes by the clinical faculty.DiscussionThe students reported that the combination of activities, workshops, exposure to the treatment unit and feedback from both clinical faculty and learning mentors provided the support needed for physical safety and wellness in the clinic. Identified challenges included communication with continuous masking, the timeliness of communicating evolving clinical safety protocols, and the need for enhanced coordination of interprofessional education.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges and opportunities for students and clinical faculty at the University of Alberta's Radiation Therapy department. The results of the quality improvement survey highlighted the importance and effectiveness of the redesigned clinical course, which integrated COVID-19 related activities, enhanced communication strategies, safety, wellness resources and check-ins throughout the course.     

Effectiveness of a game-based mobile application in educating nursing students on flushing and locking venous catheters with pre-filled saline syringes: A randomized controlled trial

AimThis study aimed to determine the effect of a game-based mobile application on the skill levels of nursing students in respect of flushing and locking of venous catheters with pre-filled saline syringes.BackgroundIn the context of the education of nursing students, a game-based mobile application was used as a motivational aid to improve nursing students’ skills in flushing and locking of venous catheters.DesignA single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted from August 2020, in a university-affiliated hospital in China.MethodsA total of 154 nursing students were divided randomly into two groups: a control group (n = 77) and an experimental group (n = 77). All the participants received a 30-min theoretical interpretation, 30-min demonstration, and one opportunity to practice. For the next seven days, the participants in the experimental group used a game-based mobile application as a motivational aid to practice their skills in flushing and locking of venous catheters; the control group received no additional intervention. We observed the skill performance and the incidence of errors in the procedural steps of the participants in the two groups at first and seven days later, along with the learning curve of the skills of the experimental group in respect of flushing and locking of venous catheters.ResultsThe final skill performance scores of the nursing students in the experimental group were higher than the average scores of the nursing students in the control group (p = 0.003); The incidence of errors in material preparation rate, hand hygiene, and flushing and locking in the experimental group were lower than that in the control group (p = 0.027, p = 0.035, p = 0.045). Analysis of the learning curve revealed that the experimental group needed an average of 11 repeat practices sessions to master the skills.ConclusionsIn the short term, the game-based mobile application was effective in improving the skills of nursing students in flushing and locking venous catheters with pre-filled saline syringes. It is an effective complement to existing training methods.     

Using video podcasting to enhance the learning of clinical skills: A qualitative study of physiotherapy students' experiences

BackgroundVideo podcasts, or vodcasts are increasingly used by a range of healthcare professions in the mastery of new skills. Little is known about the experiences of using vodcasts in physiotherapy education. Traditional pedagogic strategies have been employed in order to master those skills required for physiotherapy practice. There have been advances in the use of technology in medical education in the nursing, dentistry and medical fields. Vodcasts offer great versatility and potential when used as a pedagogical tool, embedded within a physiotherapy curriculum.AimTo explore students' experiences of using technology enhanced learning, namely vodcasts, in the Physiotherapy curriculum to develop the learning of clinical skills.MethodA series of focus groups were carried out with undergraduate and pre-registration physiotherapy students (n = 31).FindingsStudents valued the versatility and audio-visual nature of vodcasts; helpful in revising for practical examinations and practising their skills prior to, during and after taught skills classes. Watching and practising simultaneously allowed students to practice repeatedly and formulate a process for each skill. When learning a new skill, a combination of teaching and learning approaches was favoured, marrying traditional approaches with those that utilise technology.ConclusionsThis study's findings add to the existing body of evidence in skills based teaching and support a multi-media, blended approach in those disciplines involved in the learning and teaching of clinical skills.     

“Finding My Own Way”: The lived experience of undergraduate nursing students learning psychomotor skills during COVID-19

BackgroundLittle is known about how nursing students learned psychomotor skills during the COVID-19 pandemic.AimsWhat is the lived experience of undergraduate nursing students learning psychomotor skills during the COVID-19 pandemic?MethodsUsing a phenomenological approach, eight undergraduate nursing students were interviewed about their experiences learning psychomotor skills during the pandemic.ResultsThematic analysis revealed three main themes. “Finding My Own Way” described adapting learning styles and advocacy for learning. Sub-themes included perseverance and comradery. “Learning the Skills” described modifications to skills learning. Sub-themes included grace by professors, smaller group sizes, less practice, and “my brain is split in half,” describing the challenges of giving dual attention to COVID-19 and skills learning. “Stress of the Pandemic” described the stress of quarantine, isolation and online learning.DiscussionFindings of this study may help nurse educators understand the challenges of learning skills during the pandemic. Implications are discussed.