A Study on Learning Experiences and Self-Confidence of Core Nursing Skills in Nursing Practicum among Final Year Nursing Students

Han, Aekyung; Cho, Dong Sook; Won, Jongsoon

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to identify learning experiences and self-confidence and to analyze nursing students' self-confidence according to learning experiences for core nursing skills (CNS). METHOD: Participants were 502 final year nursing students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test.
RESULTS
Over 60% of participants had practiced 15 items of the 24 CNS in the basic nursing lab (BNL). In clinical practice (CP), they had practiced five items but experienced only one item in a simulation lab (SL). Items with the highest confidence level were vital signs (4.69) followed by blood sugar test (4.60), pulse oximeter (4.38), and oral medication (4.12). Items with the lowest confidence level were blood transfusion (2.17) followed by enema (2.64) and indwelling catheterization (2.67). The group with CNS experience in the practice curriculum was generally more confident than the group with no experience. Self-confidences in some skills was significantly different depending on availability of SL, credits for BNL and CP, and presence of preceptors.
CONCLUSION
Results indicate a need to develop practice education strategies such as changing the CP to practice-centered learning with preceptors and including well-designed SL to increase confidence of nursing students.