Formative evaluation of a nursing orientation program: self-paced vs. lecture-discussion

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Program Evaluation
• Adult Learning

Background:

• Traditional lecture-discussion formats may not fully engage adult learners.
• Medical center nursing orientation requires effective and stable educational methods.
• Assessing program changes is crucial for continuous improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of transitioning nursing orientation to self-learning modules (SLMs).
• To assess learner preference and engagement with SLMs compared to traditional methods.
• To identify best practices for nursing staff development.

Main Methods:

• Formative program evaluation was employed.
• The study compared traditional lecture-discussion with self-learning modules (SLMs).
• Learner feedback and program outcomes were documented.

Main Results:

• Self-learning modules (SLMs) were preferred by the majority of nursing learners.
• SLMs demonstrated a stronger alignment with adult learning principles.
• The evaluation highlighted the need for diverse teaching strategies alongside SLMs.

Conclusions:

• Self-learning modules (SLMs) are an effective component of nursing orientation.
• Varied teaching methods are essential for comprehensive staff development.
• Continuous evaluation ensures program stability and learner satisfaction.