Effect of concept mapping on problem solving skills, competence in clinical setting and knowledge among undergraduate nursing students

Abstract

Background and objective: Concept mapping is a powerful instructional tool in the clinical settings that improves competency of undergraduate nursing students in interprets situations, problem solving, decision making and critical thinking in different circumstances. Also enable them to provide optimal comprehensive care for clients. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of concept mapping on problem solving skills, competence in the clinical settings and knowledge among undergraduate nursing students.

Methods: Design and Setting: A quasi-experimental design was used and data were collected from Medical & Surgical Nursing Department and Community Health Nursing Department labs in the Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University. Sample: Random sample of 60 undergraduate nursing students which are selected by using simple random method who are divided into; thirty students from second year and thirty students from fourth year. Tools: Four tools were used for data collection: Tool (I): Structure questionnaire sheet to assess students’ knowledge regarding concept mapping, Tool (II): Case study rubric for assessing concept map, Tool (III): Problem solving skills assessment sheet and Tool (IV): Perception of students about using of concept map.

Results: As a result of this research, there were significant improvements among students knowledge about concept map, simulation case study rubric and problem solving skills, in addition to more than three quarter from students had positive perceptions regarding application of concept mapping in the clinical settings.

Conclusions and recommendation: Based on the findings of the study, there were significant improvement in the score of knowledge, simulation case study rubric and problem solving skills post application of concept mapping in the clinical setting. Therefore, it is necessary to improve wide-spreading of concept map training guidelines for large number of undergraduate nursing students at the level of the nursing faculties.