The development of a case study learning model for developing student nurses’ competency in respiratory assessment in a newborn intensive care unit

Abstract

Objectives: 1) To study on condition and requirement of learning management, 2) to develop case study learning management model, 3) to study effect of case study learning management, and 4) to study effectiveness of learning management.

Methods: This research consists of 3 phases: Phase 1: studying on condition and requirement of learning management, Phase 2: developing case study learning management model. Phase 3: developing and evaluating nursing students. Phase 4: evaluating effectiveness of the model. The subjects were 118 fourth-year student nurses who practiced in NICU in the second semester of the 2014 academic year. Research tools were: 1) case study learning model including case studies, process of case studies teaching, and the guideline for respiratory assessment in newborn crisis, 2) a capacity assessment form competency of respiratory abnormalities in critical newborn patients; and 3) meeting plan of a focus group. Descriptive and inference statistics were used for analyzing quantitative data. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.

Results: 1) Eighty percent of nursing students could not appropriately assess respiratory distress in newborn patients, 2) Evaluation of case study learning management model found that nursing students were able to prepare, present, discuss and conclude case study well. Additionally, student has the satisfaction of case study learning model, 3) The result of ability development in critical newborn respiratory distress was significantly higher compared to before management. 4) The study of model effectiveness showed that nursing students got score of case study analysis during and after practice 80% and 85% respectively.

Conclusion: Case study was a model for use in preparing nursing students before practice developing skills and confidence on nursing care in newborn respiratory distress, and encouraging students to think and analyze under many different circumstances.

Keywords: Case study learning model, respiratory assessment competency, NICU, student nurse