Bioscience learning in nursing: a cross-sectional survey of beginning nursing students in Norway

• Published in: BMC nursing Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 2 - 7
• Main Authors: Evensen, Aud Emelie, Brataas, Hildfrid Vikkelsmoe, Cui, Guanglin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 02.01.2020; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Academic achievement; Age; Biotechnology; Biotechnology industries; Classrooms; Cognitive style; Cross-sectional studies; Ethics; Independent study; Instructional methods; Learning; Learning strategies; Medical care quality; Motivation; Nursing; Nursing education; Nursing students; Participation; Physiological aspects; Public speaking; Quality; Quality control; Quality improvement; Questionnaires; Researchers; Sample size; Science education; Seminars; Student; Students; Surveys; Teachers; Teaching; Teaching methods; Norway; Learning; Instructional methods; Quality improvement; Nursing; Motivation; Student
• ISSN: 1472-6955; 1472-6955
• DOI: 10.1186/s12912-019-0394-3

Taking bioscience courses such as anatomy and physiology (A&P) is important for the development of nursing competence, but learning such subjects is also a challenge for many students. Nursing students' motivation, academic performance and exposure to different teaching methods may influence the learning process. A descriptive survey was conducted with first-year nursing students at a university in Central Norway to explore their motivations, academic performance, and responses to various teaching methods used in an A&P course. The study provided insight into nursing students motivation, academic performance, and responses to various teaching approaches. 57 students participated in the survey and 91 % of them passed the course. The majority (61.4%) reported that classroom lecture was the most efficient and appreciated teaching method. Independent study was significantly associated with higher A&P exam grades ( -value < 0.05). The survey suggests a need for further research about the quality, and presentation of anatomy and physiology units.