Digital learning in nursing education: lessons from the COVID-19 lockdown

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Digital Health
• Pedagogy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid transition to e-learning in nursing education.
• Nursing education's reliance on practical skills posed unique challenges for online adaptation.
• Understanding student experiences is vital for effective e-learning strategies in nursing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nursing students' and newly qualified nurses' experiences with e-learning during the COVID-19 lockdown.
• To identify how e-learning influenced their learning and professional development.
• To inform the optimization of e-learning in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study design.
• Online interviews conducted via Zoom with 31 participants (nursing students, newly qualified nurses).
• Data collected in February-March 2022.

Main Results:

• E-learning effectiveness can be enhanced by integrating small group interactions and pedagogical support.
• Identified barriers include technological difficulties, psychological challenges, and social isolation.
• Opportunities and challenges in e-learning require strategic institutional optimization.

Conclusions:

• The shift to e-learning presented technological, psychological, and social challenges but also opportunities for innovation in nursing education.
• Pedagogical strategies like scaffolding and small group learning can better prepare nursing students.
• This research contributes to digital education knowledge and guides future e-learning optimization in nursing.