An Analysis of Students' Ability of Rational Speculation in Professional Nursing Issues

Friday, 3 August 2012: 8:50 AM

Yi-Hui Liao, PhD, RN, RM
Hui-Chuan Wu, MSN, RN, RM
Hsiao-Yun Chang, PhD, RN
School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to understand an analysis of students’ ability of rational speculation in Professional Nursing Issues.

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to understand that the learning strategy – study circle is utilized in the nursing course.

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to explore and analyse the ability of rational speculation in Professional Nursing Issues from nursing students using a mixed-method research design.

Methods:

Following ethical approvals and permission, a purposive sample of 110 nursing students enrolled in the two-year BSc programme was recruited.  A learning strategy – study circle was introduced to the participants in the course of Discussions in Professional Nursing Issues.  The study circle was applied to complete the team work by the participants.  Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by Adult Critical Thinking Test (Ye, Chen & Hsieh, 2000), and focus group interviews.  First, statistical data were transferred into and analysed using SPSS-12 software.  Second, data from focus group interviews were analysed by qualitative (thematic) content analysis.

Results:

The findings showed that the score of Adult Critical Thinking Test was higher after the study circle was introduced (p<0.05).  Furthermore, qualitative findings included that cooperation, communication, organization, learning each other, and self development.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the learning strategy – study circle can help nursing students in their teamwork skills and develop their ability of rational speculation.  It may be utilized in the nursing education.