The effect of a multidimensional teaching strategy on the self-efficacy and critical thinking dispositions of nursing students: A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Internships in pediatric nursing often reveal that nursing students lack critical thinking dispositions and self-confidence, which are important and necessary for nursing practice. Therefore, preparing nursing students to engage in critical thinking is an important goal for educators. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore whether a teaching model combining the 5E learning model and self-efficacy would be effective in enhancing participants' self-efficacy and critical thinking dispositions in a course on child-friendly care. DESIGN: The quasi-experimental method was single-blind, as the study was conducted with two parallel and unequal groups to address the research questions. SETTING: Two campuses of a university located in Northern and Southern Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-eight participants completed this study. METHODS: Participants completed the pre-test questionnaire in Week 1, after which participants in the experimental group learned via the teaching strategy that combined the 5E learning model and self-efficacy, while participants in the control group were taught the same course via conventional teaching methods. A post-test questionnaire was completed in Week 18. An independent sample t-test was used to determine any mean differences of outcome variables between groups over time. RESULTS: Significant improvements were found in self-efficacy, t (56) = 3.93, p < 0.01, but non-significant results for the outcome of critical thinking disposition t (56) = 0.88, p > 0.05. A t-test was also performed on the four subscales of critical thinking disposition for the two groups, showing that the only difference for overall reflective thinking was statistically significant, t (56) = 2.09, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The multidimensional teaching strategy introduced in this study is more effective than conventional teaching strategies in improving students' self-efficacy and the overall reflective thinking aspect of critical thinking disposition.

Development and learning efficacy of a simulation rubric in childhood pneumonia for nursing students: A mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Nursing students often lack knowledge, skills, and appropriate attitudes toward chest physiotherapy, which affects the quality of care provided to children with pneumonia in clinical practice. Helping students learn about the effectiveness of simulations can improve their nursing ability. OBJECTIVES: To develop a rubric associated with the simulation of childhood pneumonia and to examine the learning efficacy of students using the rubric to assess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the simulation. DESIGN: A mixed methods study using a post-test survey and a descriptive qualitative analysis of students' reflective journals. SETTINGS: A paediatric simulation classroom at the University Clinical Skills Centre in Northern Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: 214 third-year students enrolled in a four-year nursing programme. METHODS: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected after the course to obtain a comprehensive understanding of its effects. Quantitative data from the questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: The quantitative results showed that mean knowledge and nursing students' attitudes were moderate. Of the six sub-indices, chest percussion technique and communication with family and children had the highest mean with 3.32 ± 0.67 and 3.01 ± 0.68, respectively. The students discovered that they often focused on performing technical steps without pre-analysing patient information. Most students also indicated difficulty showing emotional caring behaviours toward patients. The qualitative results revealed that students reflected on their learning post-self-evaluation of the rubric, particularly regarding knowledge of systemic assessments, patient-centred nursing skills, and caring attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge, skills, and attitude rubric can help students develop their learning process in a more organised manner, promote the development of their caring performances toward children, and assist them in their future clinical care practices.

Self-care Experiences of Adolescents with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

PURPOSE: We examined the self-care experiences of adolescents with spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) and their perceptions of the interactions between their body and the environment. METHODS: We interviewed ten adolescents with SMA aged 13-18 years regarding personal care practices. Purposive sampling was conducted in two medical centers in northern Taiwan. Data were analyzed using the Giorgi analysis method. RESULTS: Four constitutions were identified: (1) limited space for independent development, (2) multiple reconstructions of self-image to improve physical ability, (3) self-care of disease, and (4) developing activity styles to accommodate social culture. CONCLUSION: The self-care lived experiences of patients reflect dynamic changes in the body and environment. Self-existence was exhibited by adjustment, practice, and creativity of physical activity to integrate into society. Nursing staff should understand the self-care experiences and needs of adolescents with SMA to develop a database of self-care skills. This study recommended that nursing staff improve their ability to guide patients in taking care of themselves by developing body awareness self-care courses and individual care plans in response to various stages of disability to help patients delay deterioration, realize their physical potential, and promote independence and social development.