Registered nurses' attitudes towards e-learning and technology in healthcare: A cross-sectional survey

Online learning, also known as e-learning, has increased considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now an important feature of nursing education globally. An understanding of registered nurses' online self-regulated learning, attitudes to e-learning and the relationship of these to attitudes to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in healthcare facilitates successful educational outcomes.

To explore the association between registered nurses' attitudes to e-learning and self-regulated online learning skills on their attitudes towards the use of ICT in healthcare.

A quantitative study employing a cross-sectional survey.

A convenience sample of registered nurses (n = 120) enrolled in a nursing degree conversion program delivered in Singapore.

Participants (n = 120) completed an online anonymous survey consisting of three validated instruments (Information Technology Attitude Scale for Health (ITASH), Attitudes towards e-learning and, Online Self-regulated Learning Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics analyses were conducted.

Participant's levels of online self-regulated learning were positively correlated with attitudes to e-learning (r = 0.663, p < 0.001). Attitudes to e-learning (70.4, SD 11.5) were also positively predictive of ITASH (R² = 0.306, p < 0.001), but online self-regulated learning was not contributory to the prediction of attitudes to ICT in healthcare.

It is recommended that educators involved in online learning focus on strategies aimed at promoting positive attitudes to e-learning and ICT prior to employing those aimed at developing online self-regulation skills. Further research exploring online learning and ICT needs in the workplace are required.