Student nurses' learning on community-based education in Ethiopia

Area of Science:

• Health professions education
• Nursing education
• Community-based education

Background:

• Jimma University's goal is to implement community-oriented education via health student community-based education (CBE).
• This study investigates student nurses' experiences within the CBE program.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify factors aiding or hindering student learning in CBE.
• Assess the achievement of stated learning objectives during CBE placements.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative, descriptive survey design with a single, anonymous questionnaire.
• Qualitative data collected through open-ended questions.
• Convenience sample of 95 students (90% of CBE completers).

Main Results:

• Facilitating factors included student participation, mentor willingness, and placement relevance.
• Hindering factors involved difficulties with group self-expression, mentors focusing on mistakes, and short placement duration due to lectures.
• Learning objectives most met: socio-demographic assessment, health problem identification, and action planning. Least met: environmental health problem identification, preventive health intervention planning, and implementation.

Conclusions:

• Recommendations include enhancing student group skills and mentor preparation.
• Suggests organizing CBE in phases, avoiding concurrent lectures, and improving study facilities.