Nursing Teleducation: Learning Experiences of BSU Nurse Learners During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted the lives of many people and caused a tremendous level of stress among organizations and students in universities. Filipino learners across academic levels have to stay at home and adapt to the digital revolution through virtual environments. This study was conducted to explore the learning experiences of student nurses employing flexible learning during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide first hand evidence relevant for learning and teaching in an online environment. Descriptive phenomenology was used to capture students’ lived experiences. Data were gathered from nineteen (19) student nurses in the different academic levels of the College of Nursing of Benguet State University, who are engaged in flexible learning for the school year 2020-2021. The researchers employed individual interviews using open ended questions. Colaizzi’s analysis was used to analyze the collected data. Findings revealed that the meaning of the lived experiences among the students is a cyclical process revolving around (1) gaining and losing, (2) coping with the trend, and (3) adaptation to new normal of learning. Learning revealed to be uniquely different to every individual. Based on the findings, the following conclusions were derived: (1) As to flexible learning, it was described as gaining and losing; gaining in terms of self-improvement and cultivation, and losing in terms of being deprived from proper education due to the factors and hindrances in acquiring information. The struggles brought about by flexible learning resulted students to employ different coping mechanisms either positive or negative, to deal with the new mode of learning. (3) Capabilities to adapt to the changes brought about by the pandemic and flexible learning appeared to be varied and is still continuing. Key recommendations included conduct of self-awareness among student nurses to validate and establish their motivations in learning, also with improvement of instructor-student interactions focusing on nonacademic related topics. Mental wellness program is highly needed and psychosocial support for the students as well as teachers.