Constructing and evaluating a nursing capstone course for cultivating creativity in RN-BSN students in Taiwan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to construct and evaluate a nursing capstone course designed to cultivate creativity in RN-BSN students. The pre-post study design was used in a one-group of RN-BSN students who enrolled in a nursing capstone course. This pilot study was conducted under the auspices of NSC research grant 101-2511-S- 242-002, IRB protocol number FYH-IRB-101-07-01-A. The nursing capstone project course lasted for 18 weeks was taught for 2 hr /week, and involved 6 mainstream methods, and 5 major assessment criteria. The 8 RN-BSN students’ self-perceived abilities of creativity in this pilot study showed statistically significant improvement after completing the nursing capstone project course (p < .01), but their characteristics, abilities, and motivation for creativity were unaffected. However, the measured barriers to creativity among 8 RN-BSN students decreased substantially from the pre-to the post test (p < .05). Moreover, 9 RN-BSN students provided positive feedbacks about their learning experiences. Finally, the 9 RN-BSN students in the nursing capstone project course were developed two nursing products named as Anti-Needlestick Treasure Box and Comfortable Catheter Stickers, which have participated in the creative competition activities.