Developing a measurement tool for evaluating the hidden curriculum in nursing education

Abstract

BackgroundThe investigation of affective awareness in nursing students is important insofar as the results can serve to improve the quality of education provided to them and enhance nursing undergraduate education programs. ObjectivesThis study aims to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool for use in determining and evaluating the hidden curriculum of institutions providing nursing education at the level of bachelor's degree. SettingUniversity Faculty Nursing. ParticipantsNursing students. MethodsThis study was a methodological scale development study. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were conducted for the construct validity of the measurement tool of which content validity and a pilot study were conducted. For predictive validity, Pearson correlation coefficient between total scale and its subdimensions was calculated and the compliance between them was examined. Time invariance of the scale was tested using the test-retest method (test-retest reliability was estimated). Internal consistency reliability of the scale was calculated using Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient. ResultsFactor analyses showed that Hidden Curriculum Evaluation Scale in Nursing Education (HCES-N) included 43 items and three subdimensions and 13 reverse scored items. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.912. ConclusionsInstitutions that provide nursing education should recognize their own hidden curriculum and the institution's hidden curriculum. Formal program outcomes should correspond with each other to ensure nursing students' graduation outcomes as intended. This study in which a measurement tool was developed to determine and evaluate the hidden program in nursing education is thought to facilitate the process. The Hidden Curriculum Evaluation Scale in Nursing Education (HCES-N) is a measurement tool providing psychometric characteristics to be used in accordance with its purpose.