Health Care : Current Reviews

Nursing student engagement: Researching toward best practice

4^th Asia-Pacific Global Summit & Expo on Healthcare

July 18-20, 2016 Brisbane, Australia

Kathleen Hudson and Rebecca Carrasco

Longview University Center, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Health Care Current Reviews

Abstract:

Background: How best to train nursing students to be dedicated, highly collaborative team workers, and solid, caring, individual nurses? Engaged students (if engagement is maintained throughout their studies) will become committed and dedicated nurses. A hybrid mental health course was developed to encourage and maintain a high level of student engagement. We explored the level of student engagement, as it related to classroom and clinical experiences to measure their sense of engagement. Methods: Likert scale quantitative questionnaire, and 4 brief open-ended qualitative questions of students during the finishing of their second semester of nursing school, after completing their mental health course. Subjects: Baccalaureate student nurses completing their second level of coursework, a total of 44 students completed the course, and all completed the student survey. Findings: Most students felt very committed to their own learning, had increased their sense of critical thinking and using their own initiative, they enjoyed the diversity of content within the courses, and were more confident in pursuing further learning. The vigorous work helped the students get ready for the real world of nursing. Conclusion: Students were shifting their focus to their peer teams and developing leadership and confidence. The diversity of the coursework provided an enjoyable, engaging and challenging course and increased the students�?? sense of adaptability and confidence. Students can be developing high levels of decision making with a care attitude, to ensure they can function within today�??s complex healthcare environment.

Biography :

Email: KHudson@uttyler.edu