Abstract
BackgroundIt is important that mental health nursing students at Bachelor level obtain effective communication skills. Many students dread the fact that in the mental health field they will encounter patients and relatives with various backgrounds and personalities. Large classes and limited teaching resources in nursing education are challenging. To prepare students for mental health nursing practice, a communication skills course based on the blended learning method was developed and carried out at two different campuses.The aim of the study is to explore Bachelor nursing students’ appraisal of blended learning methods for enhancing communication skills in mental health nursing.MethodsThis study employed an exploratory design. Teaching and information materials were available on the learning management system (LMS). Videotaped role play training was carried out in the Simulation Department. Data were collected after the course by means of a questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. The response rate was 59.2%. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and the Kruskal Wallis test, while qualitative data were analysed by content analysis based on Graneheim and Lundman’s approach.ResultsNo impact of background variables was observed. Students appreciated teachers’ participation in role play and immediate feedback was considered especially important for learning outcomes. The students perceived that their communication skills and knowledge had improved after completing the blended learning programme.ConclusionsAccording to the nursing students, blended learning is an appropriate method for improving communication skills in preparation for mental health nursing. Blended learning makes it possible to build flexible courses with limited resources.
Highlights
It is important that mental health nursing students at Bachelor level obtain effective communication skills
In total, 169 questionnaires were distributed to the students and 100 were returned, of which 88% were from women
A total of 12% of the students had a native language other than Norwegian. 69% had health care work experience before they started the nursing education. Both the small and the large campus were represented in the respondent group, 14 and 86% respectively
Summary
It is important that mental health nursing students at Bachelor level obtain effective communication skills. To prepare students for mental health nursing practice, a communication skills course based on the blended learning method was developed and carried out at two different campuses. The aim of the study is to explore Bachelor nursing students’ appraisal of blended learning methods for enhancing communication skills in mental health nursing. The National Curriculum for Nursing Education in Norway sets out requirements related to nurses’ communication skills after the three-year bachelor degree programme. Nursing students with a native language other than that of the majority of their peers, might face an additional challenge when it comes to communication skills. Good communication skills are described as an important part of nurses’ core competencies, crucial. The way patients are greeted by nurses and other health professionals will affect how health care is provided [6, 7]
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