The impact of the learning contract on self-directed learning and satisfaction in nursing students in a clinical setting

Self-neglect as a significant public health issue: exploring the responsibility of the SPCDN

Self-neglect is a recognised form of abuse affecting individuals across the lifespan. Gaps are evident within current data to support its prevalence; thus, it is considered to be an under-researched and under-reported phenomenon. Evidence suggests that there are multiple risk factors which contribute to self-neglect and sources recognise it leads to poorer health outcomes. Specialist Community Practitioner District Nurses (SCPDNs) deliver care across a diverse demographic and continuously assess risk for individuals in complex environments leading and managing the care of individuals who self-neglect. It is therefore essential that SCPDNs are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to therapeutically assess the health needs of this patient group and lead on the coordination of care. This article aims to explore the subject of self-neglect as a public health concern and appraise the role and responsibilities of the SCPDN within community nursing practice.

The development of a framework for clinical education programme of undergraduate nursing students in Ghana

INTRODUCTION

Clinical education is an important aspect of the training of nursing students but it is faced with challenges in Ghana. The development of a framework will respond to the need for improvement in the quality of clinical nursing education. This study describes part of a larger study which culminated in the development of a framework for a clinical education programme for undergraduate nursing students in Ghana. The aim of the current study was to integrate findings from a scoping review and situational analysis to develop a framework for clinical education in nursing.

METHODS

A sequential multimethod design approach was used to conduct the study. A scoping review on the practices that facilitate clinical nursing education and situational analysis were first conducted. The lessons learnt from the scoping review and the situational analysis provided the data matrix that was triangulated to develop the framework. The framework was developed using the model for clinical education developed by South African Nursing Education Stakeholders in consultation with experts in nursing education. An implementation plan was developed from the framework and evaluated using a Delphi technique.

FINDINGS

The resulting framework indicates the need for effective communication and collaboration between nursing education institution and the service setting to ensure that there is a well-structured clinical placement, formal supervision system and effective clinical assessment of students. The framework also proposes that to ensure quality clinical nursing education there is the need for Nursing Education Institutions to implement innovative and cost-effective clinical teaching methods.

CONCLUSION

The framework spells out the functions of the various stakeholders in nursing education and how these can be integrated and implemented to enhance quality clinical nursing education. Effectiveness of the thematic areas of the framework will increase the quality of clinical nursing education.

Self-directed learning assessment practices in undergraduate health professions education: a systematic review

PURPOSE

The goal of this systematic review was to examine self-directed learning (SDL) assessment practices in undergraduate health professions education.

METHODS

Seven electronic databases were searched (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science) to retrieve English-language articles published between 2015 and July of 2022, investigating assessment of SDL learning outcomes. Extracted data included the sample size, field of study, study design, SDL activity type, SDL assessment method, number of SDL assessments used, study quality, number of SDL components present utilising the framework the authors developed, and SDL activity outcomes. We also assessed relationships between SDL assessment method and number of SDL components, study quality, field of study, and study outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 141 studies included, the majority of study participants were medical (51.8%) or nursing (34.8%) students. The most common SDL assessment method used was internally-developed perception surveys (49.6%). When evaluating outcomes for SDL activities, most studies reported a positive or mixed/neutral outcome (58.2% and 34.8%, respectively). There was a statistically significant relationship between both number and type of assessments used, and study quality, with knowledge assessments (median-IQR 11.5) being associated with higher study quality (p < 0.001). Less than half (48.9%) of the studies used more than one assessment method to evaluate the effectiveness of SDL activities. Having more than one assessment (mean 9.49) was associated with higher quality study (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our systematic review suggest that SDL assessment practices within undergraduate health professions education vary greatly, as different aspects of SDL were leveraged and implemented by diverse groups of learners to meet different learning needs and professional accreditation requirements. Evidence-based best practices for the assessment of SDL across undergraduate healthcare professions education should include the use of multiple assessments, with direct and indirect measures, to more accurately assess student performance.

The Learning Contract and its Impact on Scholarship among Moroccan Nursing Students

Background:

E-learning refers to the use of new technologies to deliver distance learning programs. This mode of learning is also considered one of the innovative teaching/learning methods best suited to the current conditions, which entail the suspension of face-to-face courses due to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure continuity of training, overcome learning difficulties and increase student autonomy and motivation. Our study focuses on this teaching model as an example of an apprenticeship contract, often adopted in technical, vocational, work-linked training. The aim of this study is to measure the perception of this learning contract through e-learning and its impact on learning among multi-skilled nursing students in semester four (S4) of the Professional License of the Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Techniques of Casablanca within the framework of the course of nursing care in psychiatry.

Methods:

A group of 58 students participated in a survey conducted by questionnaire, with a response rate of 86.20%.

Results:

The results revealed that the students had a positive perception regarding the use of the learning contract; according to them, the learning contract approach increases autonomy, motivation and the application of the theoretical courses in practice.

Conclusion:

The learning contract offers several advantages as a learning strategy and this has been implemented in different nursing education contexts, which may encourage nursing educators to use this contract more widely in theoretical and also practical teaching.

Effects of a Self-Directed Clinical Practicum on Self-Confidence and Satisfaction with Clinical Practicum among South Korean Nursing Students: A Mixed-Methods Study

In self-directed learning, students take the initiative to identify learning goals, choose learning strategies, and evaluate learning outcomes. This study aimed to explore the effects of a self-directed clinical practicum on nursing students' self-confidence and satisfaction with the clinical practicum. This mixed-methods study used a non-equivalent control group with a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design and content analysis. Participants were 111 nursing students (experimental group = 55, control group = 56). Quantitative (self-confidence and satisfaction with the clinical practicum) and qualitative (reflective diaries) data were collected. The experimental group had significantly increased scores for self-confidence and satisfaction with the clinical practicum compared with the control group. Four themes regarding the experience of the self-directed clinical practicum were identified: perceived linking of academic knowledge and practice, perceived development of nursing competency, enjoying the clinical practicum, and establishing nursing identity as a student. The self-directed clinical practicum developed as part of this study was found to be an effective education method for nursing students.

Twelve-step Approach for Academic Development Planning in Academic Surgery: Climbing the Academic Uphill With Strong and Steady Steps

MINI-ABSTRACT

Surgical trainees and young academic surgeons should understand the specifics of the career they are pursing, and surgeon mentors should enhance their leadership roles and support the recruitment and retainment of academic surgeons through effective academic career support and strategic planning. Utilizing academic development planning can serve as an essential tool as both mentors & mentees navigate different career choices towards achieving a successful and sustainable academic career advancement.

Academic motivation and self-directed learning readiness of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic in three countries: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

It is crucial to evaluate student academic motivation and self-directed learning (SDL) readiness while teaching online or flexibly. During the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, there were few investigations on the link between academic motivation and SDL readiness.

AIM

This study investigated the connection between academic motivation and SDL readiness and the three academic motivation domains' predictive features.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used convenience sampling to recruit 1187 nursing students from four nursing colleges in three countries. We utilized the Academic Motivation Scale College Version and Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale for Nurse Education to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Extrinsic motivation received the highest mean. Most nursing students exhibited SDL readiness, whereas "desire for learning" was rated the highest dimension of SDL readiness. We found significant differences in nursing students' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and amotivation between the three countries. Finally, country, gender, and intrinsic motivation were significant predictors of the nursing students' SDL readiness.

CONCLUSION

Among Filipino, Saudi, and Thai nursing students, their SDL readiness is influenced by the intrinsic motivation domain. Therefore, nursing students with higher levels of intrinsic motivation are proactive learners for SDL.

Evaluation of in-person continuing education programs from the perspective of ward nurses

BACKGROUND

Assessing how programs are implemented from the perspective of the learners themselves is one of the most effective ways to improve the quality of continuing education. The aim was to evaluate the implementation of in-person continuing education programs from the perspective of nurses.

METHODOLOGY

Setting of the study was the selected hospital of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Al-zahra hospital). This study is a descriptive cross-sectional one. Using a researcher-made questionnaire, the implementation of continuing education programs in four areas of the aim, educational techniques, educational content, and educational field was evaluated. The sample consisted of 236 nurses working in these hospitals who participated in the study through convenience sampling. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 19 using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Based on the results, "the need for new content learning" was mentioned as the first priority in continuing education programs. The majority of participants scored each of the following domains (aim, educational techniques, educational content, and education field) as well as all items related to the continuing education program evaluation as "moderate."

CONCLUSION

Most nurses assessed the implementation of in-person continuing education programs implemented in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in general and in each of the domains as "moderate." Therefore, in order to improve the quality of programs, it is necessary to take steps to match the goals with the needs of learners, improve teaching techniques, improve the quality of program contents, and optimize the scope of the programs.

Effect of learning contracts in clinical pediatric nursing education on students' outcomes: A research article

BACKGROUND

According to previous research, learning contracts positively influence learners' self-directed learning ability, learning satisfaction, and academic performance. However, there are insufficient researches on the application of learning contracts to clinical training in pediatric nursing. This study sought basic data for developing an effective teaching and learning strategy for clinical education in pediatric nursing.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to validate the effect of learning contracts on students' problem-solving skills, self-directed learning capability, and communication self-efficacy.

DESIGN

Nonequivalent control group posttest design.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS

The participants comprised a total of 50 junior nursing students, 25 in each group at a college in Daejeon City, South Korea.

METHOD

This study compared the above-mentioned outcomes between control (before clinical pediatric nursing education) and experimental groups (after received such education and applied learning contracts).

RESULTS

The experimental group demonstrated higher problem-solving skills, self-directed learning capability, and communication self-efficacy scores than did the control group.

CONCLUSION

Learning contracts should be applied in practical courses as a teaching and learning method to improve relevant nursing skills, such as problem-solving skills, self-directed learning capabilities, and communication self-efficacy.