Dataset on student experiences and perceptions of Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) in an Irish University.

This paper presents a dataset from a survey of student experiences and perceptions of Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Munster Technological University, a new higher education institute in the south-west of Ireland formed from the recent merger of two older institutes of technology. Data were collected throughout the month of May 2021 using the online survey tool Typeform with the survey itself being promoted with the student body primarily via email, social media and the university's Learning Management System. There were a total of 1703 responses (approx. 11% response rate which maps to less than a 2.5% margin of error at a 95% level of confidence). The survey was designed to elicit data with respect to student background, workspace and access; ERT tools and platforms used; challenges faced during the ERT period as well as benefits and preferred future teaching and learning modes. The dataset could be of interest to other researchers, policy makers and administrators interested in student experiences of and insight with respect to ERT and student views on the legacy of ERT. Data also provide opportunity to cross-tabulate key variables such as, e.g., internet connectivity and overall ERT experience. Survey questions are also included for replicability purposes. The data article also includes students' responses received in CSV and formatted spreadsheet formats.

The challenges to public health nurse practice in rural Ireland.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to understand the contemporary public health nurse's (PHN) role and the issues that they face working in rural Ireland. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: This study was based on an ethnographic approach with 13 PHNs working in rural areas in the South West of Ireland. MEASUREMENTS: A combination of solicited diaries and semi-structured interviews referred to as the diary/interview method were employed. Diaries were used by the PHNs to record their working day on a staggered basis from February to April 2017 with the subsequent interviews carried out in June and July 2017. RESULTS: Working as a PHN in a rural area presented a number of issues such as time spent on traveling as a result of geographical disparity & poor road networks; client transport issues; a sense of working in isolation; communication issues with respect to computer/tablet hardware availability, mobile phone and broadband connectivity and the availability of, and the physical access to services. CONCLUSION: PHNs operating in rural communities face a distinct set of challenges that they have a limited ability to address. Legislators, health care providers and policymakers need to create a supportive environment that helps address these challenges in Ireland.