Implementation of active learning methods by nurse educators in undergraduate nursing students' programs - a group interview

Sanela Pivač; Brigita Skela-Savič; Duška Jović; Mediha Avdić; Sedina Kalender-Smajlović

doi:10.1186/s12912-021-00688-y

Implementation of active learning methods by nurse educators in undergraduate nursing students' programs - a group interview

BMC Nurs. 2021 Sep 18;20(1):173. doi: 10.1186/s12912-021-00688-y.

Authors

Sanela Pivač¹, Brigita Skela-Savič², Duška Jović³, Mediha Avdić⁴, Sedina Kalender-Smajlović²

Affiliations

¹ Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care, Spodnji Plavž 3, SI-4270, Jesenice, Slovenia. spivac@fzab.si.
² Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care, Spodnji Plavž 3, SI-4270, Jesenice, Slovenia.
³ Faculty of Medicine, Department of Health Care, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
⁴ Public Institution Health Centre of Sarajevo Canton, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Abstract

Background: Modern and active learning methods form an important part in the education of Nursing students. They encourage the development of communication and critical thinking skills, and ensure the safe health care of patients. Our aim was to obtain naturalistic data from nurse educators regarding want the use and effects of implementing active learning methods (Peyton's Four-Step Approach, Mind Mapping, Debriefing and Objective Structured Clinical Examination methods) in the study process of students of Nursing after a completed education module, Clinical skills of mentors, as part of the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project. We wish to learn about the perception of nurse educators regarding the use of active learning methods in the study process of Nursing in the future.

Methods: Qualitative research was conducted and a group interview technique was used for data collection. Beforehand, research participants were included in a two-day education module, Clinical skills of mentors, as part of the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project. Content analysis of the discussion transcriptions was conducted.

Results: Fourteen nurse educators participated. Group interviews were conducted in September 2019. The obtained categories form four topics: (1) positive effect on the development of students' communication skills (2) positive effect of learning methods on the development of students' critical thinking skills (3) ensuring a safe learning environment (4) implementation of active learning methods.

Conclusions: The use of various active learning methods in simulation settings improves the Nursing students' critical thinking and communication skills. Therefore, we believe that Peyton's Four-Step Approach, Mind Mapping and Debriefing methods should be included as tools for effective student learning and as preparation for directly performing safe nursing interventions with a patient. Effective approaches to the assessment of Nursing students may ensure quality patient health care in accordance with the vision of the nursing profession.

Keywords: Communication skills; Critical thinking; Nursing education; Teaching tools.