A quasi-experimental study of specialized training on the clinical decision-making skills and social problem-solving abilities of nursing students

Abstract

Background: In Asian countries, clinical practice places little emphasis on developing the clinical decision-making skills and social problem-solving abilities of nursing students. Objective: This study explored whether a 3-months-in-1-unit training program improved nursing students' clinical decision-making skills and social problem-solving abilities compared to the 1-month-in-1-unit rotation program. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted. A 3-months-in-1-unit training program was conducted in the intervention group (n = 77), rountine1-month-in-1-unit rotation was conducted in the control group (n = 73). Clinical decision-making skills and problem-solving abilities were measured using the Chinese version of the Clinical Decision-Making Nursing Scale and the Social Problem-Solving Inventory–Revised. Results: Nursing students in the intervention group scored higher clinical decision-making skills (t = 7.677, p < 0.05), positive problem orientation (t = 18.359, p < 0.05), negative problem orientation (t = −3.711, p < 0.05), and rational problem-solving (t = 2.312, p < 0.05) than the control group. Conclusions: The 3-months-in-1-unit specialized training program had a significant positive impact on students’ clinical decision-making skills and social problem-solving abilities.