Factors Related to the 21st Century Learning Skills of Trainees in Program of Nursing Specialty in Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

Abstract

The purpose of this correlational descriptive study was to explore associations between the 21^st century learning skills and personal characteristics among trainee in program of nursing specialty in family nurse practitioner curriculum batches 3 and 4. The data were collected during January and May 2020. Informants included 120 participants who were trainee in the program. Concepts of the 21^st century learning skills by Trilling & Fadel were applied and the data collection was carried out through a questionnaire that was consisted of 2 parts: 1) personal characteristics and 2) evaluation of the 21^st century learning skills. Reliability of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, yielding the score of 0.98. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations.

The results of the study showed that most of the respondents (92.5%) were female, aged between 41 and 50 years old (61.67%), were married (85.0%), and graduated at the Bachelor’s degree level (73.33%). Overall, the 21^st century learning skills was at a high level (=4.06, SD=0.48). When analyzing each category, area with the highest score was professional and learning skills (=4.45, SD=0.51), followed by computer and information technology and communication skills (=4.31, SD=0.62) and cooperation, teamwork and leadership skills (=4.29, SD=0.49), respectively. Correlational analysis revealed that gender, age, marital status, and educational level were not correlated with the 21^st century learning skills.The results can serve as fundamental information to improve courses on specialized nursing to enhance capacity and effectiveness of trainees in the future.