Internet usage among undergraduate nursing students: A case study of a selected university in South Africa

Abstract

Background: The internet has become an indispensable tool for teaching and learning, research, and communication in today’s educational landscape. Nursing students, in particular, rely heavily on the internet to access scholarly resources, collaborate with peers, and engage in online learning activities. This article explores the general internet usage of undergraduate nursing students at a selected university in South Africa.

Methods: This study used a quantitative, non-experimental, exploratory, and descriptive design with 115 undergraduate nursing students. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and were analysed descriptively.

Results: Undergraduate nursing students used the internet for academic purposes (96.5%), communication (82.6%), leisure activities (71.3%), and work-related tasks (53.9%). Facebook was the most frequently used social network (77.4%). Barriers to internet use include restricted access to certain websites (62.6%), slow internet connection (55.7%), limited training in internet usage (38.3%), and a scarcity of computers (37.4%).

Conclusion and recommendations: Educational institutions and policymakers should explore strategies to enhance students’ digital experiences. This can be achieved by improving internet infrastructure, offering comprehensive internet usage training, increasing computer accessibility, and reevaluating website restrictions. Emphasising internet literacy, promoting diverse online platforms and fostering a more inclusive online environment are recommended.