Nursing student perceptions of required online educational programs utilized outside the classroom

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Online educational programs (OEPs) are increasingly used to supplement nursing education.
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of OEPs and virtual learning platforms like Zoom.
• This study examines student perceptions of faculty-assigned OEPs used outside the classroom.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate nursing students' perceptions of online educational programs (OEPs) assigned by faculty.
• To explore the relationship between student characteristics and their use of and views on OEPs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, correlational survey design was employed.
• Data were collected from 221 nursing students in a baccalaureate program.
• Qualitative data were gathered through open-ended responses.

Main Results:

• Students spent an average of 7.85 hours on OEPs and 6.4 hours on Zoom weekly.
• Sophomore students dedicated significantly more time to OEPs and Zoom compared to other academic levels.
• Key themes identified were: too many programs, cost, technological challenges, and benefits.

Conclusions:

• Student perceptions of OEPs are significantly influenced by cost, ease of use, and the quantity of assigned programs.
• Faculty should consider the cumulative student burden in terms of time commitment and financial cost.
• Streamlining OEPs, enhancing relevance, and eliminating redundancy through faculty collaboration are recommended.