Aim: The psychiatric nursing practicum was changed to a combination of hospital and oncampus
practicum due to the COVID-19 pandemic in FY2020. This study sought to clarify
the present situation of student learning in the psychiatric nursing practicum and conduct
an educational evaluation.
Method: Qualitative descriptive research was used. The analysis focused on the item
entitled “Impressions after completing the practicum” in the practicum records submitted
by the university’s nursing students after completing the modified FY2020 psychiatric
nursing practicum. Using this content, we analyzed aspects of students’ learning and their
satisfaction with the clinical practicum.
Results: The practicum records of 3 4 students who provided written consent were
analyzed. Four categories for the hospital practicum were identified: “Learning about
communication skills”, “The importance of patient understanding in psychiatric nursing”,
“Changed impressions”, and “Learning specific to the hospital practicum”. Two categories
for the on-campus practicum were identified: “Learning about communication skills”
and “Learning about psychiatric nursing specializations not easily experienced in the
hospital practicum”. Two categories for the overall practicum were identified: “New
findings through the clinical practicum” and “Understanding the meaning of interaction in
nursing”. Despite the significantly reduced number of practicum hours, the students were
able to take full advantage of the hospital practicum to deepen their learning by linking
their previous knowledge with practical application in the field. During the on-campus
practicum, the students benefitted considerably from roleplays that simulated multiple
diseases and situations. Student learning in the two practicums had many commonalities,
such as learning related to communication skills and patient understanding. Overall, the
students were satisfied with the practicum, and the diverse learning experiences proved to
be motivating for the future.
Conclusion: By dynamically combining the hospital practicum with an on-campus
practicum, students acquired expertise in psychiatric nursing and expressed satisfaction
with their practicum, and the practicum goals were achieved. It is suggested that this
practicum content may be an effective learning approach during prolonged crises such as
pandemics and disasters.
Evaluation of learning in the psychiatric nursing practicum modified to combined hospital and on-campus practicum due to the COVID-19 pandemic
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