Construction and practice of a comprehensive nursing skills course with simulation in an RN-BSN program in China: a quasi-experimental study

Background Simulation has been widely used in the teaching of pre-licensed nursing students and has shown positive results. However, there is limited evidence regarding the application of a comprehensive nursing course with simulation for Associated Degree in Nursing (ADN)-prepared nurses with different work experience times. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction, self-confidence, and perceptions of scenario simulation among Chinese nurses in a comprehensive nursing skills course in an RN-BSN program. Methods A single-group post-test approach was used in the current study. Participants that completed a comprehensive nursing skills course with simulation in an RN-BSN program were enrolled. Results The mean satisfaction, self-confidence, educational practice, and simulation designs scores were rated highly. Self-confidence (p = 0.002), active learning (p = 0.020), collaboration (p = 0.030), support (p = 0.008), and problem-solving (p = 0.007) were significantly higher among students with more work experience compared to those with less experience. Then, four themes were analyzed: enthusiasm for learning, ability to experience different feelings during role-play, hybrid teaching format, and simulation fidelity. Conclusions Results demonstrated that a comprehensive nursing skills course with simulation might improve Chinese ADN-prepared nurses’ satisfaction and self-confidence in learning. Nurses with work experience gave a high rate to the scenario simulation, demonstrating that simulation can be widely applicable for students with different characteristics. Finally, the teaching strategy in the present study can be applied to more RN-BSN programs.

THE EFFECTS OF ACTION LEARNING-CHILDREN’S NURSING CLINICAL PROGRAM (AL-CNCP) ON PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITIES, COMPETENCY IN NURSING SKILLS, SELF-EFFICACY FOR GROUP WORK, AND TEAM EFFICACY OF NURSING EDUCATION

Background: This study was conducted to examine the effects of Action Learning-Children’s Nursing Clinical Program (AL-CNCP) for nursing students. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The study participants were 82 nursing students (42 in the experimental group and 40 in the control group) from G metropolitan city in South Korea. The experimental group took part in the AL-CNCP, which was scheduled to take place twice per week for 10 days, while the control group took part in a traditional pediatric nursing practice education. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, χ²-test, ANCOVA, and an independent t-test using SPSS/WIN 22.0. Conclusion: There were significant increases in problem solving abilities (t=4.49, p<.001), competency in nursing skills (t=3.99, p<.001), self-efficacy for group work (t=3.91, p<.001), and team efficacy (t=2.25, p=.027) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Based on the findings, this study indicates that AL-CNCP is an effective teaching-learning method to improve problem solving abilities, competency in nursing skills, self-efficacy for group work, and team efficacy of nursing students.

Development and Effects of a Mechanical Ventilation Education Program with Blended Learning for Nursing Students

Purpose: This study describes the development and implementation of a mechanical ventilation education program with a blended learning method for nursing students.Methods: Sixty-five nursing students were recruited either to the experimental group (n=33) or to the control group (n=32) in May 2020. This program was developed based on the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation model. The analysis phase consisted of a literature review, expert consultations, and target group survey. In addition, learning objectives and a structure were designed, and an online program was developed. In the implementation phase, the program was conducted over the course of 2 weeks. The evaluation phase involved verification of the effects of the program on knowledge of mechanical ventilation, self-confidence, and ventilator nursing skills performance, as well as an assessment of satisfaction with the program.Results: The experimental group had significantly higher scores on knowledge of mechanical ventilation (t=4.29, p<.001), self-confidence (t=2.31, p=.024), and ventilator nursing skills performance (t=4.65, p<.001) than the control group.Conclusion: The results indicate that this mechanical ventilation education program with blended learning was effective in meeting the needs of nursing students and can be widely used in this context.

Investigation research on the demand of pre-job training for nursing students in higher vocational colleges

Objectives: To investigate the pre-job training demand of nursing students in higher vocational colleges, lay a foundation for the development of scientific and standardized pre-job training program and help nursing students smoothly transition to clinical practice state from student status. Methods: A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate 822 nursing students of grade 2018 in our school from four aspects: the necessity of pre-job training, the demand content of pre-job training, the demand of skill enhancement program, and the stress source of pre-internship. Results: Demand rate of the pre-job training of nursing students in the college was 99.5%, and main demand of the training content were nursing skill training (96.8%), nursing safety and occupational protection (95.1%), nursing theory training (92.9%); the main demand of nursing skills enhancement program were closed intravenous infusion (90.3%), (intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular) injection (87.8%), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (81.8%), and indwelling catheterization (77.5%); the main stress sources of pre-internship was lack of confidence in theory and skills, accounts for 61.1% in total 760 students. Conclusion: The pre-job training courses in higher vocational colleges should be close to the clinical needs of students, it is necessary to carry out pre-job training courses according to main demand of the training content, the main demand of nursing skills enhancement program and the main stress sources of pre-internship in the college; this article may provide reference for our school and other vocational colleges to develop pre-job training program.