Registered professional nurses experiences of computer-assisted learning in a private healthcare organisation

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Registered professional nurses are expected to maintain competence. Organisations areemploying computer-assisted learning to fulfil this requirement. It was observed that staffexperienced challenges such as technical difficulties, insufficient computer literacy, lack ofopportunity and access to complete computer-assisted learning activities in a privatehealthcare organisation. These challenges may have implications for the effective learningand development of registered professional nurses.The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of registered professional nurses incomputer-assisted learning at a private healthcare organisation. The research question was:'What are the experiences of registered professional nurses in computer-assisted learning ata private healthcare organisation? The following objectives were set to: Explore the experiences of registered professional nurses in computer-assistedlearning related too Organisational supporto Human interactiono Programme designo Computer literacyA qualitative approach with a descriptive, exploratory design was applied. A purposivesample of seven (n=7) participants from a population of thirty five (N=35) were recruited. Apre-test was completed. Ethical principles were adhered to. A semi structured interview guidebased on the objectives of the study was developed by the researcher and validated by apanel of experts in research methodology and nursing education. Data was collected in theform of individual interviews and a demographic questionnaire by the researcher and oneresearch assistant. Content analysis was applied to analyse the data, with six themesemerging. These were access, opportunity, applied support, programme content and design,social learning and computers.The findings demonstrated that registered professional nurses experienced inadequateaccess and opportunity to computer-assisted learning activities. The lack of computer literacyand human interaction affected the learning experience of some, but not all participants.Technical problems and disturbances in the learning environment were major contributors tothe negative experiences in computer-assisted learning. Positive experiences included theconvenience and ease of use of intranet-based computer-assisted learning activities. The conceptual framework of Knowles' Andragogy supported the findings of the study.Recommendations were to provide intranet access at work and home, internet access atwork and also formalised opportunity to complete computer-assisted learning activities.Technical problems should be minimised. Learning environments should be separate fromwork environments.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University