Evaluation of a digital programme for final year nursing students during COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Mental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns for nursing students' physical and psychological safety.
• A psychological first aid program was developed to support students returning to clinical practice.
• South Africa faced challenges in ensuring student well-being during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a digital program designed to alleviate COVID-19 related anxiety.
• To assess the program's impact on final year undergraduate nursing students.
• To support nursing students' transition back to clinical practice during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to final year nursing students (N=196) in September 2020.
• An online survey measured anxiety and COVID-19 fears before and after a digital intervention (eCOVID).
• Related Samples Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests analyzed changes in anxiety and fear.

Main Results:

• The digital program led to a significant reduction in student anxiety (p=.004).
• COVID-19 fears, including infection and information access, were significantly decreased (p=.001).
• Specific fears addressed included infecting family and workplace exposure.

Conclusions:

• Digital psychological first aid programs can effectively decrease anxiety and fear in nursing students.
• The study provides evidence for supporting nursing students' mental health during pandemics.
• Interventions are crucial for ensuring student safety and well-being in clinical settings.