Challenges to online education during the time of COVID-19: A focus group study

To explore the experience of online education during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from the perspectives of nurse educators, postgraduate students, and undergraduate students in two universities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). This article only highlights the challenges faced by nurse educators and students.

A qualitative design using a focus group strategy was employed. The data were collected from two universities in the OPT from September 2020 to October 2020. The maximum variation sampling strategy was used.

Seven focus groups were conducted with nurse educators (n = 2), postgraduate students (n = 1), and undergraduate students (n = 4). The findings revealed that nurse educators and students faced several challenges when they were abruptly turned to online learning. These challenges included challenges concerning clinical courses, lack of resources, lack of interaction, evaluation, and their home environment.

This study is the first to demonstrate the challenges involved in nursing education in OPT during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The findings of this study can be used to improve the online learning experience during COVID-19. As a recent change to nursing education, it is vital to understand the nature of the problems related to this sudden change.