The Effect of Transformative Learning on the Perception of Cognitive Skills of The Third Year Nursing Students at Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Sunpasitthiprasong

Abstract

Transformative learning helps learners develop various aspects, including knowledge, analytical thinking, emotions, feelings, and caregiving behaviors, through processes of reflection and experiential learning. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest approach to examine the perceptions of cognitive skills and experiences of nursing students. The sample was comprised of 155 third-year nursing students from Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Sunpasitthiprasong. The research tools included a transformative learning assessment form, the cognitive skills perception assessment, and an experience recording form for participation in activities. These tools possessed Indexes of Item Object Congruence (IOC) between 0.60 – 1.00 and a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .91. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. The findings revealed that the perception of cognitive skills among nursing students improved to a good level following participation in transformative learning (M = 3.33, SD = 0.42) and was significantly higher than before participation (M = 3.09, SD = 0.52, t = -5.728, p < 0.01). When examining each aspect, the aspect with the highest average score was data search and analysis. The nursing students experiences during the transformative learning process identified four key learning issues: 1) understanding the pain and suffering of women during labor, 2) feelings of pride and value towards women in labor, 3) awareness of their own strengths and areas for development in nursing practice, and 4) commitment and intention in caring for women during labor. The results of this study indicate that transformative learning facilitates students’ self-understanding and the understanding of others and enhances their skills in research and analytical thinking, leading to improved outcomes in the care of women during labor.