Experiences of Using a Digital Guidance and Assessment Tool (the Technology-Optimized Practice Process in Nursing...

Nursing students' learning during clinical practice is largely influenced by the quality of the guidance they receive from their nurse preceptors. Students that have attended placement in nursing home settings have called for more time with nurse preceptors and an opportunity for more help from the nurses for reflection and developing critical thinking skills. To strengthen students' guidance and assessment and enhance students' learning in the practice setting, it has also been recommended to improve the collaboration between faculties and nurse preceptors.

This study explores first-year nursing students' experiences of using the Technology-Optimized Practice Process in Nursing (TOPP-N) application in 4 nursing homes in Norway. TOPP-N was developed to support guidance and assessment in clinical practice in nursing education.

Four focus groups were conducted with 19 nursing students from 2 university campuses in Norway. The data collection and directed content analysis were based on DeLone and McLean's information system success model.

Some participants had difficulties learning to use the TOPP-N tool, particularly those who had not attended the 1-hour digital course. Furthermore, participants remarked that the content of the TOPP-N guidance module could be better adjusted to the current clinical placement, level of education, and individual achievements to be more usable. Despite this, most participants liked the TOPP-N application's concept. Using the TOPP-N mobile app for guidance and assessment was found to be very flexible. The frequency and ways of using the application varied among the participants. Most participants perceived that the use of TOPP-N facilitated awareness of learning objectives and enabled continuous reflection and feedback from nurse preceptors. However, the findings indicate that the TOPP-N application's perceived usefulness was highly dependent on the preparedness and use of the app among nurse preceptors (or absence thereof).

This study offers information about critical success factors perceived by nursing students related to the use of the TOPP-N application. To develop similar learning management systems that are usable and efficient, developers should focus on personalizing the content, clarifying procedures for use, and enhancing the training and motivation of users, that is, students, nurse preceptors, and educators.