Nursing students collaborating to develop multiple-choice exam revision questions: A student engagement study

Theory-practice gap: Nursing students' self-reported depth of understanding of bioscience and its relevance to clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Bioscience subjects are essential as they allow nurses to have a clear understanding of the patient's condition and ultimately allow them to provide appropriate and timeous care. However, these subjects remain a significant problem in the endeavour to produce highly competent nurses.

AIM

The study aimed to investigate the nursing students' self-reported depth of understanding of bioscience and its relevance to clinical practice.

METHODS

A quantitative research approach using a descriptive survey design was employed. The sample (n = 211) included second-, third- and fourth-year undergraduate nursing students. A three-part self-administered questionnaire was adapted and used to collect the data. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 25.0 (IBM SPSS-25). Descriptive statistics and Chi-squared test were performed to describe the relationship among the study variables.

RESULTS

Participants rated their understanding of the application of Human Biology (n = 86, 40.76%) and Pharmacology (n = 88, 41.71%) as good, while Physics (n = 80, 37.91%) and Chemistry (n = 85, 40.28%) were rated as adequate. Most participants rated Human Biology (n = 175, 83.73%) and Pharmacology (n = 181, 86.19%) as essential, while Physics (n = 129, 61.72%) and Chemistry (n = 133, 63.64%) were rated as relevant to clinical practice. Physics (n = 112, 60.54%; n = 95, 50.53%) and Chemistry (n = 126, 68.85%; n = 113 61.41%) were rated as not relevant to monitoring a patient's heart rate and blood pressure. Participants' perception of the relevance of Chemistry in monitoring a patient's blood pressure was statistically significant (χ2 = 6.871 (df 2), p<0.05). Most participants (n = 57, 41.91%) performed at Task specific on Akinsanya's Bionursing model, suggesting an overall understanding of the foundational concepts and principles of bioscience.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the study provided evidence of the students' self-reported depth of understanding and perception of the relevance of bioscience and indicate a need for more emphasis on the importance of bioscience integration in clinical practice.

A cross-sectional study in college-based nursing education: The influence of core self-evaluation and career calling on study engagement in nursing undergraduates

AIM

To investigate undergraduate nursing students' general study engagement using intra-individual assessment and to evaluate the impact of core self-evaluation and career calling on study engagement.

DESIGN

A descriptive and cross-sectional design.

METHODS

Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire survey. Four hundred and twenty nursing students from first- to fourth (final)-academic year in Guangzhou Medical University were invited to participate in the spring of 2021. The Cronbach's alpha, one-way analysis of variance, Bonferroni post hoc analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

The first- and fourth-year undergraduates showed significantly higher levels of study engagement (first-year undergraduates, 3.52 ± 0.59; fourth-year undergraduates, 3.54 ± 0.64), core self-evaluation (first-year undergraduates, 3.04 ± 0.48; fourth-year undergraduates, 3.11 ± 0.45) and career calling (first-year undergraduates, 3.65 ± 0.47; fourth-year undergraduates, 3.69 ± 0.50) than those of second-year undergraduates (study engagement, 3.32 ± 0.61; core self-evaluation, 2.93 ± 0.52; career calling, 3.41 ± 0.50) and third-year undergraduates (study engagement, 3.16 ± 0.61; core self-evaluation, 2.88 ± 0.50; career calling, 3.34 ± 0.38). The Pearson correlation analysis among nursing students revealed a significant positive correlation between core self-evaluation, career calling and study engagement (p < 0.01). A partial mediation effect of career calling was present in the relationship between core self-evaluation and study engagement.

Factors Influencing Clinical Performance of Baccalaureate Nursing Majors: A Retrospective Audit

BACKGROUND

Transition of nursing student to new graduate depends on successful completion of clinical work placement during an undergraduate course. Supporting students during the clinical placement is imperative. This study examined associations between grade point average, domestic or international status, course entry qualification, and single or dual nursing degree to successful completion of clinical placement.

METHOD

A retrospective audit of 665 students in a baccalaureate nursing program was conducted to examine factors influencing clinical performance of baccalaureate nursing students.

RESULTS

A significant association between entry qualification, lower grade point average, international status, and receipt of a constructive note was found: χ² = 8.678, df = 3, p = .034, t(3.862), df = 663, p ⩽ .001, and Fisher's exact test = 8.581, df = 1, p = .003, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Understanding factors that affect clinical performance may help early identification of students at risk and allow for supportive intervention during placement and subsequent program completion. [J Nurs Educ. 2018;57(6):333-338.].