Using Podcasts to Facilitate Textbook Readings in a Medical-Surgical Nursing Course

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Medical-Surgical Nursing

Background:

• Undergraduate nursing students require critical textbook reading skills.
• Guided reading podcasts were introduced in a medical-surgical nursing course to enhance these skills.
• Podcasts aimed to focus students on essential knowledge for academic success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of professor-made guided reading podcasts.
• To assess student perceptions of podcasts as a learning tool.
• To determine the impact on critical textbook reading in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, descriptive survey was administered to 148 junior-level nursing students.
• Participation was voluntary and anonymous.
• 54 students (36.49%) completed the survey regarding podcast usage and perceptions.

Main Results:

• 61.11% (n=33) of participating students listened to most or all of the guided reading podcasts.
• 78% (n=39) of students reported that the podcasts positively contributed to their learning.
• The podcasts were perceived as a helpful educational innovation.

Conclusions:

• Professor-made guided reading podcasts are an effective educational tool for nursing students.
• This innovation aids in developing critical textbook reading abilities.
• The podcasts will be continued in future iterations of the medical-surgical nursing course.