Skip to main content

Table.2 Effects of active learning methods in Nursing study programs, and suggestions based on the discussion with nurse educators

From: Implementation of active learning methods by nurse educators in undergraduate nursing students’ programs – a group interview

Topics

Selected examples of comments

Effects

Obstacles

consequences

Suggestions

Positive effect on the development of students’ communication skills

“I would like to stress that communication is very important between students and mentors…which means that mentors pass on their knowledge and experience through communication.”

(Person K)

“…. Communication is very important and also our thinking, we should teach our students through role play.” (Person F)

“…with communication we can solve a problem.” (Person I)

“It is important that a student gets information immediately.” (Person D)

“A teacher’s feedback is very important, so that the student knows where they were wrong and what they should do to improve.” (Person B)

Achieving professional competencies in communication.

Decreasing errors in patient care.

Transfer of knowledge and experiences to students of Nursing.

The impact of feedback on the student’s active role and achieving set goals.

Teaching by including active problem solving that leads students to reflect and encourages them to show and say what they know.

Assessment of the health condition.

Prevention of errors in a clinical setting.

Active participation of all students.

Development of self-confidence in students.

Students are better motivated.

Feedback by nurse educators should be useful and given at the right time as, otherwise, it is not useful. It should be given when a student is reflecting on their work and there is still time for improvement.

The OSCE method requires appropriate logistics and extra support (time, place).

With learning and direct work a student progresses from an inexperienced individual to a more independent, professional and responsible person, so strengthening students’ interpersonal communication competencies is necessary: communication skills, a positive and professional attitude, active listening, the ability to reflect and respond emphatically, constructive feedback that can be achieved by introducing active learning methods into the study process.

Nurse educators should adjust the teaching methods depending on the resources, knowledge, experience of students and situation.

Positive effect of learning methods on the development of students’ critical thinking

“A student should definitely be encouraged to think and connect all the facts that they have through the Peyton’s four-step approach method.” (Person I)

“It is great for the development of critical thinking.” (Person F)

“It means that they will know what is best for the patient” (Person G)

“With the Debriefing method we will make students think critically and so they will know what they have missed….it is important to have a discussion with students.” (Person B)

“Through Mind Mapping students and those students who usually don’t speak as much, will participate in discussions.” (Person B)

“The disadvantage of the OSCE method is the venue that cannot cater for that many stations, but otherwise, it is a great method for assessment.” (Person E)

Ensuring a safe learning environment

“The main goal is to ensure the safety of our patients”. (Person I)

“….the Peyton’s four-step approach can also be used for education of patients, which means that it has a large spectrum”. (Person K)

Preparation for safe nursing intervention.

Safe and high-quality patient care in a clinical setting.

Peyton’s four-step approach requires following in steps.

To ensure a systematic approach to improve the quality and safety of everyone involved.

Implementation of active learning methods

“I’d like to add that teachers should have pedagogical and andragogical knowledge and skills and mentoring skills.” (Person J)

“During the OSCE exam it is easier to follow two people and that they then make comparisons” (Person Y)

“… that these simulations are necessary and that in this way we can prepare students for their work well, but that for that we need to have knowledge.” (Person I).

“In my work I will use the OSCE stations because I think that this is a good way to check students’ resourcefulness in addition to their knowledge and skills.” (Person C)

“Using the Mind Mapping method may be the cheapest method and does not take a lot of time, but is very effective for the students.” (Person B)

Standardized methods with precisely defined criteria and phases of performing clinical interventions.

Improvement of knowledge and clinical interventions.

Preparation for work with a patient is very important.

Lack of knowledge of nurse educators on active learning methods.

Nurse educators do not have enough pedagogical and andragogical knowledge.

Strengthening nurse educators with knowledge in pedagogy and andragogy, and active teaching methods.