Education of student nurses - A systematic literature review

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this review was to explore the literature on the connection between teaching strategies and nursing students' learning to clarify which teaching strategies provide optimal learning experiences and outcomes.

Data sources: Sources dating from January 2000 to November 2016 were systematically searched in PubMed, Cinahl, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted that included quantitative and qualitative studies. Quality assessment was made in accordance with Malterud's guidelines on qualitative research and Polit and Beck's guidelines on quantitative research. The analysis was guided by Patricia Benner's organisation of teaching as teaching and learning in classroom and skills laboratory and teaching and learning in clinical practice.

Result: In this review, 502 titles and abstracts were screened resulting in 45 read and included studies.

Conclusion: Teaching in skills lab and simulation laboratories provides a positive learning environment and motivates student nurses to learn. It develops critical thinking and the student nurses' ability to take part in what Benner refers to as problem-based nursing. However, there is a need to transform teaching strategies so that student nurses do not experience classroom and clinical practice teaching as separate parts during their education.

Keywords: Education; Educational strategies; Learning; Nursing; Simulation; Students; Teaching.