The Actual Nursing Skills Learning Strategies for University Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The COVID­19 pandemic has resulted in changes in educational methods, including in distance learning. We speculate that the way nursing skills are learned may also have changed as a result. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the actual nursing skills learning strategies of nursing students during the COVID­19 pandemic. Methods: In July 2021, a paper or web­based, unmarked questionnaire survey was conducted using the Nursing Skills Learning Strategies Scale (NSLSS). Participants were 824 first­ and second­year students from five nursing universities in the Tokai region, who spent their entire enrollment in the COVID­19 pandemic. Results: Data of 465 students were analyzed (58.0% response rate, 97.3% valid response rate), with a median NSLSS score of 4.24, minimum score of 1.12, and maximum score of 6.00. The median subscale scores ranged from 4.00 to 4.50, maximum scores were all 6.00, and minimum scores were 1.25 for “Planning/ Adjustment,” and 1.00 for “Cognitive Orientation,” “Peer Learning,” and “Emotional Adjustment.” The median NSLSS scores by grade level were 4.18 for first­year students and 4.29 for second­year students, with no significant differences. Conclusion: The NSLSS and subscale scores were similar to that of previous studies. However, some participants did not use “Peer Learning” and “Cognitive Orientation” at all. This suggests that although the COVID­19 pandemic did not significantly impact nursing students’ learning strategies, the effects vary between individuals. We also expected that the COVID­19 pandemic would have a greater impact on second­ year students than on first­year students, although the difference was not significant.