J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2012 Aug;19(3):322-333.

The Development and Evaluation of a New Educational Program, Introduction to Clinical Nursing, for Third Year Nursing Students

• Song K
• Park HJ
• Yeom HA
• Lee JE
• Joo GE
• Kim HJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a newly developed Introduction to Clinical Nursing (ICN) program on critical thinking skills, communication competence, self-efficacy, and clinical performance self-confidence in nursing students in their third year.
METHODS
One group pre-test and post-test design was used with three data collection time points (pre-test, post-test1 and post-test2). Participants were 74 third year nursing students approaching their first clinical practicum. The new program included (a) simulated clinical encounters regarding situations of assessing hospitalized patents and caring for patients with oxygenation needs, (b) objective structured clinical examination of skills, (c) lectures, and (e) field trips. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests.
RESULTS
After the ICN course, critical thinking skills(significant only between pretest and post-test2), communication competence, and clinical performance self-confidence improved significantly (p<.05). There was no improvement in the self-efficacy total score but there was significant improvement in the subscale, self-regulatory efficacy.
CONCLUSIONS
The study results indicate that the ICN course may be effective in increasing critical thinking skills, communication competence, and clinical performance self-confidence in nursing students. However, the effect size was very small and modifications of this program should be considered to develop more cost-effective educational programs.

Keyword

Critical thinking skill; Communication competence; Self-efficacy; Clinical performance confidence

MeSH Terms

Surveys and Questionnaires
Humans
Lectures
Mental Competency
Oxygen
Students, Nursing
Thinking
Oxygen