Evaluation of novice home visitor preparation strategies

This descriptive, exploratory study examined student evaluation of home visit preparation methods in relation to personal learning style preference. Students (N = 33), who were enrolled in a public health nursing course, participated. These novice home visitors shared a high preference for detailed, organized course work; close and personal instructor contact; and learning by listening. Their evaluation of home visit preparation methods indicated that direct experience instructional strategies, such as observing a staff nurse's visits, were most helpful in preparing for the majority of home visit components. These results suggest that direct experience instructional strategies may be most useful for preparing students to make home visits and that learning style preference is not a strong influence on novice home visitor preparation.