Using enquiry in learning: from vision to reality in higher education

Embedding knowledge into non-medical prescribing education

This article focuses on the non-medical prescribing (NMP) module for community prescribers in a nurse education context. The module mainly attracts registered nurses (RNs) from community settings (such as health visiting, school nursing, district nursing and practice nursing), and is provided in higher education institutions (HEIs) as part of a specialist programme or a continuing workforce development module. The article discusses changes to the way the module was taught that can enhance student learning within the NMP module and facilitate wider success and confidence among community nurse prescribers. The move from Nursing and Midwifery Council standards for prescribing to a single competency framework from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has encouraged academics to revisit teaching strategies and consider an approach that offers wider student participation in learning. The use of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) in HEIs is part of national recommendations to improve the student experience and increase success.

Integrated training (practicing, peer clinical training and OSCE assessment): a ladder to promote learning and training

Introduction The teaching-learning process plays an effective role in training nursing students. Devising novel methods can lead to achievement of educational objectives as well as promotion of the clinical and practical training. The present study is aimed to determine the effect of integrated training, including practicing, peer clinical training and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) assessment. Methods The interventional study was conducted on 58 freshman students. Two groups underwent a five-stage educational process; so that, all the students were trained and practiced in the skills lab, and their practical skills were investigated via the OSCE test. Afterwards, for clinical training in hospital, they were randomly divided into two groups of routine training (n = 26) and the peer-learning method (n = 32). Subsequently, in order to investigate the outcomes of the process, the OSCE test scores of the two training groups were compared both before and after the apprenticeship course. Results Scores of all the students were increased significantly at the end of the semester, but in terms of the total score of the clinical skills (14.79 ± 1.52 vs. 18.52 ± 0.84), the difference was insignificant (p = 0.29). Conclusion Training clinical skills along with OSCE practice and assessment can improve the nursing students' learning as well as their practical and clinical performance. Improvement of the students' performance can lead to high-quality care nursing.

The value of peer learning in undergraduate nursing education: a systematic review

The study examined various methods of peer learning and their effectiveness in undergraduate nursing education. Using a specifically developed search strategy, healthcare databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed articles, with studies involving peer learning and students in undergraduate general nursing courses (in both clinical and theoretical settings) being included. The studies were published in English between 2001 and 2010. Both study selection and quality analysis were undertaken independently by two researchers using published guidelines and data was thematically analyzed to answer the research questions. Eighteen studies comprising various research methods were included. The variety of terms used for peer learning and variations between study designs and assessment measures affected the reliability of the study. The outcome measures showing improvement in either an objective effect or subjective assessment were considered a positive result with sixteen studies demonstrating positive aspects to peer learning including increased confidence, competence, and a decrease in anxiety. We conclude that peer learning is a rapidly developing aspect of nursing education which has been shown to develop students' skills in communication, critical thinking, and self-confidence. Peer learning was shown to be as effective as the conventional classroom lecture method in teaching undergraduate nursing students.

"The Child's World": a creative and visual trigger to stimulate student enquiry in a problem based learning module

Despite the abundance of literature on problem based learning (PBL) [Murray, I., Savin-Baden, M., 2000. Staff development in problem-based learning. Teaching in Higher Education 5 (1), 107-126; Johnson, A.K., Tinning, R.S., 2001. Meeting the challenge of problem-based learning: developing the facilitators. Nurse Education Today 21 (3), 161-169; McCourt, C., Thomas, G., 2001. Evaluation of a problem based curriculum in midwifery. Midwifery 17 (4), 323-331; Cooke, M., Moyle, K., 2002. Students' evaluation of problem-based learning. Nurse Education Today 22, 330-339; Haith-Cooper, M., 2003a. An exploration of tutors' experiences of facilitating problem-based learning. Part 1--an educational research methodology combining innovation and philosophical tradition. Nurse Education Today 23, 58-64; Haith-Cooper, M., 2003b. An exploration of tutor' experiences of facilitating problem-based learning. Part 2--implications for the facilitation of problem based learning. Nurse Education Today 23, 65-75; Rowan, C.J., Mc Court, C., Beake, S., 2007. Problem based learning in midwifery--The teacher's perspective. Nurse Education Today 27, 131-138; Rowan, C.J., Mc Court, C., Beake, S., 2008. Problem based learning in midwifery--The students' perspective. Nurse Education Today 28, 93-99] few studies focus on describing "triggers", the process involved in their development and their evaluation from students' perspective. It is clearly documented that well designed, open ended, real life and challenging "triggers" are key to the success of PBL implementation [Roberts, D., Ousey, K., 2004. Problem based learning: developing the triggers. Experiences from a first wave site. Nurse Education in Practice 4, 154-158, Gibson, I., 2005. Designing projects for learning. In: Barrett, T., Mac Labhrainn, I., Fallon, H., (Eds.), Handbook of Enquiry and Problem-based Learning: Irish Case Studies and International Perspectives. AISHE & CELT: NUI Galway. <www.nuigalway.ie/celt/pblbook>, Barrett, T., 2005. Understanding problem-based learning. In: Barrett, T. Mac Labhrainn, I., Fallon, H., (Eds.), Handbook of Enquiry and Problem-based Learning: Irish Case Studies and International Perspectives. AISHE & CELT, NUI Galway. <www.nuigalway.ie/celt/pblbook>]. This paper outlines the planning, implementation and evaluation of a "trigger" developed for a first year undergraduate nursing module. To meet specific module learning outcomes and to stimulate student inquiry through the learning strategy of PBL, a bright and colourful collage, was constructed. This tool was then evaluated using focus group interviews. Students' perspectives centered round a core theme, 'finding a focus and taking control'. Four categories were identified illustrating students progress from 'initial confusion' to engaging with the 'trigger diversity' before confidently 'exploring their own line of inquiry', thus leading to the 'stimulation of their learning'. Consistent with previous research, we also suggest it is customary for students to experience an initial period of ambiguity as they switch from teacher led to student centered learning [Biley, F., 1999. Creating tension: under graduate students nurses' response to a problem-based learning curriculum. Nurse Education Today 19 (7), 586-589]. One challenge in developing "triggers" is that the process is primarily controlled by lecturers. We suggest that a possible way forward would be to also engage students in the development of "triggers".