Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and assess the validity and reliability of an online-based tool named "E-Learning in Nursing Tool" used to evaluate the effectiveness of using virtual learning systems in teaching online nursing courses.
Methods: This study utilized a methodological approach was conducted in 2015-2017. The tool’s validity was determined through assessment of content validity using exploratory factor analysis on the data provided by 112 second and third-semester nursing students in the undergraduate online nursing program. Reliability was determined through internal and external consistency, using a Cronbach’s coefficient of the correlation between different cohorts.
Results: Based on the exploratory factor analysis. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling adequacy was 0.893 indicating adequate sample for the test, and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity is significant p=0.000 indicating significant exploratory factor analysis. Identified factors included (a) virtually administer medication 93.2%, (b) check medications information from the drug book icon 90.6%, (c) Provide patient teaching and health promotion 86.7%, (d) virtually take vital signs and implement nursing interventions accordingly 82%. These factors explained 47.4% of the total variance of the concept of virtual medication administration. In this study, reliability was demonstrated by a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.82 indicating reliable measure for this tool containing 32 Likert type items focusing on the virtual e-learning.
Recommendations for Future Research: Evaluating the effectiveness of virtual learning systems in nursing education is crucial, since it will help in guiding the online teaching pedagogies and online nursing programs development. Future studies are encouraged to utilize and retest the developed tool.