'CO-CO' in nursing care planning: an innovative approach to student learning

This qualitative study evaluated the application of a new real-time, synchronous computer conferencing technology (CO-CO) to assist student nurses develop effective nursing care planning skills. Using CO-CO, first-year undergraduate nurses collaborated across a local area network to produce nursing care plans based on given patient profiles. A convenience sample involved a total of eight students, working in pairs at different work stations. An initial training session introduced the students to the Unisys Icon microcomputer system and the CO-CO software application. In the second session the researcher displayed a patient case study in one of the CO-CO screen windows along with specific instructions. The students' objective was to co-operate and collaborate as a group in order to produce an appropriate nursing care plan. For the most part they worked independently of the teacher who was able to engage in other activities while remaining available to the group for occasional essential feedback. Later, a questionnaire was completed by the students. The students cited the ease with which they could use the software CO-CO to reach decisions about care. The sessions reportedly improved group process and group interaction. This computer conferencing system offers an alternative approach to the teaching of nursing care planning.