21st Century Learning Skills of Nursing Students: A Survey Research in Yala

Abstract

This analytical survey research was conducted to investigate 21st century skills of nursing students at Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Yala and analyze correlation between years of study and 21st century skills. The sample was composed of 272 students from years 1 to 4. The research instrument was self-investigated 21st century skills questionnaire. Content Validity was validated by 3 experts, the Index of Congruence was ranged from 0.67 - 1.00 and the Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was 0.95   Data were collected between November to December 2017 and analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Chi-Square Test.

The main results revealed that the mean scores of overall 21st century skills of the nursing students were high (μ= 3.79, σ = 0.42). The mean scores of Cross-cultural Understanding were rated highest (μ = 4.11, σ = 0.57) and 3R-Reading, (W)Riting, and (A)Rithemetics)  were rated lowest (μ = 3.38, σ = 0.50) especially for the items of reading and writing English. The results also showed statistically significant correlated at the .01, .05 level to the total skills score of students and almost aspect of skills except 3R-Reading aspect, (W)Riting, and (A)Rithemetics) and Communications, Information, and Media Literacy aspect.

. Therefore, instructional strategies should be systematically redesigned in a way that promotes the 21st century skills. Nurse instructors should change their teaching and learning styles especially in  core subject and focus on skills of the nursing students those were less than others.  

Keywords:  twenty first century learning skills, nursing students, years of study