Exploring the information and communication technology competence and confidence of nursing students and their perception of its relevance to clinical practice

Accepted 14 January 2009. published online 24 February 2009.

Summary

Aim

This paper profiles a study that explored nursing students’ information and communication technology competence and confidence. It presents selected findings that focus on students’ attitudes towards information and communication technology as an educational methodology and their perceptions of its relevance to clinical practice.

Background

Information and communication technology is integral to contemporary nursing practice. Development of these skills is important to ensure that graduates are ‘work ready’ and adequately prepared to practice in increasingly technological healthcare environments.

Methods

This was a mixed methods study. Students (n=971) from three Australian universities were surveyed using an instrument designed specifically for the study, and 24 students participated in focus groups.

Findings

The focus group data revealed that a number of students were resistant to the use of information and communication technology as an educational methodology and lacked the requisite skills and confidence to engage successfully with this educational approach. Survey results indicated that 26 per cent of students were unsure about the relevance of information and communication technology to clinical practice and only 50 per cent felt ’very confident’ using a computer.

Conclusion

While the importance of information and communication technology to student’s learning and to their preparedness for practice has been established, it is evident that students’ motivation is influenced by their level of confidence and competence, and their understanding of the relevance of information and communication technology to their future careers.

Keywords: Information and communication technology, Nursing student, Confidence, Competence

a School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia

b School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, c/-NCI TAFE, P.O. Box 210, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia

c College of Health Sciences, University of Western Sydney, P.O. Box 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia

d School of Health/Faculty of The Professions, University New England, NSW 2351, Australia

Corresponding author. Tel.: +61 02 49216559; fax: +61 02 4921 6301.

1 Tel./fax: +61 02 6581 6207.

2 Tel.: +61 02 4921 6261; fax: +61 02 4921 6301.

3 Tel.: +61 02 4921 6770; fax: +61 02 4921 6301.

4 Tel.: +61 02 4921 16334; fax: +61 02 4921 6301.

5 Tel.: +61 02 4821 8880.

6 Tel.: +61 02 6773 2547.

PII: S0260-6917(09)00021-5

doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2009.01.007

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