Undergraduate nursing students' perceptions on nursing education during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic: A national sample

Abstract

Background: In 2020, nursing educational programs were abruptly interrupted and largely moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To explore nursing students' perspectives about the effects of the pandemic on their education and intention to join the nursing workforce.

Methods: Undergraduate nursing students from 5 universities across 5 United States regions were invited to participate in an online survey to elicit both quantitative and qualitative data.

Findings: The final sample included quantitative data on 772 students and qualitative data on 540 students. Largely (65.1%), students reported that the pandemic strengthened their desire to become a nurse; only 11% had considered withdrawing from school. Qualitatively, students described the effect of the pandemic on their psychosocial wellbeing, adjustment to online learning, and challenges to clinical experiences.

Conclusion: Findings highlighted the need to develop emergency education preparedness plans that address student wellbeing and novel collaborative partnerships between schools and clinical partners.

Keywords: COVID-19; Education; Nursing; Nursing students; Pandemic; Workforce.