The academic experiences of transitioning to blended online and digital nursing curriculum.

BACKGROUND: The blended online digital (BOLD) approach to teaching is popular within many universities. However, much of the research conducted in this area focusses on the student perspective. Aim The aim of this study is to explore the experiences and perspectives of academics involved in the development and implementation of an inaugural BOLD Bachelor of Nursing curriculum at a regional multi-campus institution in Victoria, Australia. METHODS: Eleven academics across two regional campuses participated in one of five focus groups. Creswell's (2003) six step approach to thematic analysis was used to analyse the semi-structured interview data in order to capture the meaning of the transition experience. FINDINGS: Three significant themes emerged from the focus group data: 'Get Ready', 'Get Set', and 'Go'. DISCUSSION: Three significant themes emerged, 'Get Ready', embodies insight from academic staff preparing to make the transition to a BOLD delivery model acknowledging the need for staff to be genuinely prepared, educated, guided and supported to understand the pedagogy of BOLD. Secondly, 'Get Set', acknowledges the period immediately after the preparatory phase and preparedness of academic staff to manage content and delivery for both face-to-face and online student cohorts within the learning platform. Thirdly, the theme 'Go' recognises the culmination of the previous two phases and is a recognition of the need for ongoing evaluation across the implementation phase. CONCLUSION: This qualitative exploration of nursing academics' experience contributes to contemporary pedagogical insights in relation to the blended approaches to teaching and learning.

The educational impact of web-based and face-to-face patient deterioration simulation programs: An interventional trial.

BACKGROUND: There are international concerns relating to the management of patient deterioration. The "failure to rescue" literature identifies that nursing staff miss cues of deterioration and often fail to call for assistance. Simulation-based educational approaches may improve nurses' recognition and management of patient deterioration. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the educational impact of the First2Act web-based (WB) and face-to-face (F2F) simulation programs. DESIGN & SETTING: A mixed methods interventional cohort trial with nursing staff from four Australian hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Nursing staff working in four public and private hospital medical wards in the State of Victoria. METHODS: In 2016, ward nursing staff (n = 74) from a public and private hospital completed three F2F laboratory-based team simulations with a patient actor in teams of three. 56 nursing staff from another public and private hospital individually completed a three-scenario WB simulation program (First2ActWeb) [A 91% participation rate]. Validated tools were used to measure knowledge (multi-choice questionnaire), competence (check-list of actions) and confidence (self-rated) before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Both WB and F2F participants' knowledge, competence and confidence increased significantly after training (p ≤0.001). Skill performance for the WB group increased significantly from 61% to 74% (p ≤ 0.05) and correlated significantly with post-test knowledge (p = 0.014). No change was seen in the F2F groups' performance scores. Course evaluations were positive with median ratings of 4/5 (WB) and 5/5 (F2F). The F2F program received significantly more positive evaluations than the WB program (p < 0.05), particularly with regard to quality of feedback. CONCLUSION: WB and F2F simulation are effective education strategies with both programs demonstrating positive learning outcomes. WB programs increase ease of access to training whilst F2F enable the development of tactile hands on skills and teamwork. A combined blended learning education strategy is recommended to enhance competence and patient safety.