Evaluating a Web-based graduate level nursing ethics course: thumbs up or thumbs down?

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: This article discusses the course design, experiential findings, and evaluation of a Web-based course for graduate nurses examining professional health care practice and ethical issues. METHOD: Using course input and evaluative data, the article addresses student and teacher perceptions of use of a Web-based delivery mode for graduate level courses and the appropriateness of this ethics course for graduate level students. RESULTS: Evaluative data supported existing knowledge concerning pros and cons of Web-based education. New insights concerning the Web's ability to foster critical thinking skills and supports for continuing ethics education for nurses are reported. All students assessed this ethics course as being of considerable value to their professional practice. CONCLUSION: Students evaluated the pros of Web use for the course as far outweighing the cons. The students' substantial interest in and critical thinking about appropriate knowledge bases to underpin effective ethical decision-making strongly supports the need for continuing ethics education for practicing nurses.

Author information

Author/s: McAlpine, Heather (H); Lockerbie, Linda (L); Ramsay, Deyanne (D); Beaman, Sue (S);

Affiliation: University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NewBrunswick, Canada.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article

Journal: Journal of continuing education in nursing (J Contin Educ Nurs), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2002 Jan-Feb; vol 33 (issue 1) : pp 12-8

Dates: Created 2005/05/12; Completed 2005/05/26; Revised 2006/06/14;

PMID: 15887355, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

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