Analysing utilisation of a self-directed clinical skills laboratory by undergraduate nursing students in higher education: a mixed methods design.
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Date
2016
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Abstract
Background
Nursing qualifications at institutions of higher learning have a strong focus on knowledge
acquisition to ensure that the students are well equipped to know both how and why to
maximise patient care. This knowledge needs to be balanced with clinical skills, acquired
through both supervised and self-directed experiences, the latter being an increasingly
important part of student learning in higher education institutions clinical skills
laboratories.
Aim
The study aimed to analyse the utilisation of the self-directed clinical skills laboratory by
undergraduate nursing students in a selected higher institution, and make
recommendation on how teaching and learning in this area can be strengthened as a
learning space.
Methods
A non-experimental convergent parallel design was used. A sample of 118 nursing
students was collected through systematic random sampling for the quantitative
questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews were conducted using purposive
sampling of six clinical facilitators, and focus group discussions were conducted with 32
nursing students, one group from each of the 4 undergraduate years.
Results
The findings suggested that students using the self-directed clinical skills laboratory
applied the self-directed learning principles in their learning. The learning space is
perceived to be used in line with the South African Nursing Council requirement, and the
students using the learning space were positive about its use as a learning environment.
Conclusion
While both staff and students found the self-directed clinical skills laboratory to be a useful
learning environment, its use would be improved by providing adequate human and material resources, and ensuring that what was taught was in line with clinical practices
in hospitals.
Description
Master of Nursing in Nursing Education. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2016.