Research article summary (published 22 Oct 2006):

Nursing students learning to utilize nursing research in clinical practice.

Full Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the significance of a learning assignment in relation to research skills and learning of nursing students in clinical practice. The learning assignment included an oral presentation of a nursing research article, which the students gave to their fellow students and ward nurses. The students also chaired the discussion after the presentation. The target group for the study was nursing students of a Finnish polytechnic who had been studying for 2-2 1/2 years and had accomplished a minimum of 120 ECTS credits of the total of 210 ECTS credits. When participating in the study, the students were completing a six-week clinical practice of optional studies. The data were collected with a questionnaire designed for the study. It consisted of six open-ended questions. Three of the questions were related to learning of research skills. Two questions were concerned with learning during the ongoing clinical practice. The final question inquired the students' views on the development of the learning assignment. The students received the questionnaire before the commencement of their clinical practice, and they returned it to the other researcher after their clinical practice. The questionnaire was given to 80 students, of which 50 returned it; the response rate was 63%. The data were analysed by content analysis question by question. According to the results, the learning assignment advanced the understanding of research concepts for the majority of the students. In particular, the students reported that the oral presentation clarified the research concepts, and the structure of a scientific article was also elucidated. The students stated that the assignment generated ideas concerning the development of nursing care. In relation to the ongoing clinical practice, the assignment advanced patient encounters and interaction, and bearing responsibility the most. Proposals for the further development of the learning assignment were expressed by more than half of the nursing students. Half of them suggested ensuring the interest in the topic from the ward.

Author information

Author/s: Mattila, Lea-Riitta (LR); Eriksson, Elina (E);

Affiliation: Department of Nursing, Helsinki Polytechnic, P.O. Box 4030, 00099 Helsinki, Finland. lea-riitta.mattila(-atsign-)stadia.fi

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article

Journal: Nurse education today (Nurse Educ Today), published in Scotland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Aug; vol 27 (issue 6) : pp 568-76

Dates: Created 2007/07/25; Completed 2007/10/05;

PMID: 17064819, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Attitude of Health Personnel Clinical Competence Diffusion of Innovation Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate - organization & administration Evidence-Based Medicine - education Finland Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Humans Information Dissemination

Information Dissemination Needs Assessment Nursing Education Research Nursing Methodology Research Nursing Research - education Program Evaluation Questionnaires Self Efficacy Students, Nursing - psychology

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