The impact of covid-19 on psychosocial well-being and learning for australian nursing and midwifery undergraduate students: a cross-sectional survey

Bodil Rasmussen; Alison Hutchinson; Grainne Lowe; Karen Wynter; Bernice Redley; Sara Holton; Elizabeth Manias; Nikki Phillips; Jo McDonall; Lauren McTier; Debra Kerr

doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103275

The impact of covid-19 on psychosocial well-being and learning for australian nursing and midwifery undergraduate students: a cross-sectional survey

Nurse Educ Pract. 2022 Jan:58:103275. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103275. Epub 2021 Dec 10.

Authors

Bodil Rasmussen¹, Alison Hutchinson², Grainne Lowe³, Karen Wynter⁴, Bernice Redley⁵, Sara Holton⁶, Elizabeth Manias⁷, Nikki Phillips⁸, Jo McDonall⁹, Lauren McTier¹⁰, Debra Kerr¹¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; The Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute of Health Transformation -Western Health Partnership, Western Health, Furlong Road, St Albans VIC 3021 Australia; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark and Steno Diabetes Center, Campusvej 55, Odense M, DK-5230, Denmark. Electronic address: Bodil.rasmussen@deakin.edu.au.
² School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; The Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute of Health Transformation -Monash Health Partnership, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia. Electronic address: Alison.hutchinson@deakin.edu.au.
³ School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia. Electronic address: g.lowe@deakin.edu.au.
⁴ School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; The Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute of Health Transformation -Western Health Partnership, Western Health, Furlong Road, St Albans VIC 3021 Australia. Electronic address: k.wynter@deakin.edu.au.
⁵ School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; The Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute of Health Transformation -Monash Health Partnership, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia. Electronic address: Bernice.redley@deakin.edu.au.
⁶ School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; The Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute of Health Transformation -Western Health Partnership, Western Health, Furlong Road, St Albans VIC 3021 Australia. Electronic address: s.holton@deakin.edu.au.
⁷ School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia. Electronic address: emanias@deakin.edu.au.
⁸ School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia. Electronic address: Nikki.phillips@deakin.edu.au.
⁹ School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia. Electronic address: Jo.mcdonall@deakin.edu.au.
¹⁰ School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia. Electronic address: Lauren.mctier@deakin.edu.au.
¹¹ School of Nursing and Midwifery; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia. Electronic address: d.kerr@deakin.edu.au.

Abstract

Aim: To explore the impact of COVID-19 on psychosocial well-being and learning for nursing and midwifery undergraduate students in an Australian university.

Background: The World Health Organization has reported a substantial psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals to date. Evidence is lacking, however, regarding university nursing and midwifery students of the pandemic and its impact on their educational preparation and/or clinical placement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Cross-sectional survey of nursing and midwifery undergraduate students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing suite of courses from the study institution in August- September 2020.

Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered anonymous online survey was distributed to current nursing and midwifery undergraduate students. The survey included three open-ended questions; responses were thematically analysed.

Results: Of 2907 students invited, 637 (22%) responded with 288 of the respondents (45%) providing a response to at least one of the three open-ended questions. Three major themes associated with the impact of the pandemic on psychosocial well-being and learning were identified: psychosocial impact of the pandemic, adjustment to new modes of teaching and learning, and concerns about course progression and career. These themes were underpinned by lack of motivation to study, feeling isolated, and experiencing stress and anxiety that impacted on students' well-being and their ability to learn and study.

Conclusions: Students were appreciative of different and flexible teaching modes that allowed them to balance their study, family, and employment responsibilities. Support from academic staff and clinical facilitators/mentors combined with clear and timely communication of risk management related to personal protective equipment (PPE) in a healthcare facility, were reported to reduce students' stress and anxiety. Ways to support and maintain motivation among undergraduate nursing and midwifery students are needed.

Keywords: Australia; COVID-19; Learning; Nursing student; Psychosocial well-being; Student midwife.

MeSH terms

Australia
COVID-19*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate*
Female
Humans
Midwifery*
Pandemics
Pregnancy
SARS-CoV-2
Students, Nursing*