Effects of Self-development Supportive for the Pre-practicum Preparation at Intensive Care Unit on Knowledge and Skills among Nursing Students

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research was to examine the effects of self-development supportive for the pre-practicum preparation at intensive care unit on knowledge and skills among nursing students. The samples consisted of 48 third year nursing students studying at Prachomklao College of Nursing, Phetchaburi. The research instruments consisted of the instructional method of self-development supportive for the pre-practicum preparation, self-development record, and nursing students’ self-assessment of knowledge and nursing practice skills at intensive care unit with the reliability of .96 and .97, respectively. The implementation and data collection were conducted from November, 2011 to March, 2012. Statistics used for data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, paired t-test, and content analysis.

The results of the study revealed that the average scores of knowledge and skills following the perception of nursing students after trial were statistically significantly higher than those before trial (t = 15.730, p < .001 and t = 15.051, p < .001, respectively).

This study suggested that pre-practicum preparation helps nursing students improve their knowledge and be confident in nursing practice.