Improving nursing students' knowledge using online education and simulation to help smokers quit

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Smoking cessation is a critical public health issue.
• Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, play a vital role in assisting smokers to quit.
• Effective training programs are needed to equip nursing students with necessary cessation skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an evidence-based smoking cessation education program on nursing students' perceptions and self-confidence.
• To assess the program's effect on students' readiness to help smokers quit.

Main Methods:

• An online educational program followed by simulation-based practice was implemented.
• Pre- and post-assessment tools were used to measure changes in students' knowledge and confidence.
• 110 senior nursing students participated in the study.

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated a statistically significant increase in overall confidence to assist smokers in quitting (t=4.09, p<.001).
• Self-rated smoking cessation skills, including Advising, Assessing, Assisting, and Arranging, significantly improved compared to baseline (p<0.00).

Conclusions:

• Integrating evidence-based didactic and practical smoking cessation programs into nursing curricula enhances students' clinical skills.
• This improved skill set better prepares future nurses to effectively help smokers quit.
• The program's success highlights the importance of practical training in smoking cessation education.