Opinions of Nursing Students on Online Education in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Qualitative Research

Background: Quarantine practices and social restrictions were introduced to reduce the mass deaths caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 and the speed of the epidemic all over the world. One of the protection measures taken due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is the compulsory online education application to prevent the epidemic.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the opinions of nursing students about online education due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Methods: The research was conducted on third-grade undergraduate nursing students who took the pediatric nursing course with online education as a qualitative design in phenomenology type. A total of 11 nursing students were included in the sample. A semi-structured interview form was used for the interview. The data were evaluated by content analysis according to “descriptive phenomenological analysis stages” consisting of 7 stages by Colaizzi.

Results: The students were between 20 and 24 years old, and 9 were women, and 2 were men. Two main themes named “Students’ views on online education” and “Students’ suggestions for more efficient processing of online education” were created. Students reported difficulties such as access and technical problems, difficulty in concentration, inefficiency, psychomotor skills, lack of communication and interaction, and health problems, as well as benefits such as being able to spare more time for them.

Conclusion: It was determined that online education was more effective in the theoretical education of the students, but they did not find it appropriate to use it in clinical education. Students suggested the use of methods such as educational videos and case discussions related to online education. Considering the results of the study, it is thought that the online education method should be used in combination with theoretical education. In addition, it is suggested to provide the necessary technical infrastructure in all educational institutions for the effective use of online education.