Abstract:
The Coronavirus of 2019 has made it impossible to continue conventional education as it ravages society two years after its outbreak. Among those impacted by COVID-19 are the nurse facilitators who primarily teach in the classrooms and guide and assist learners in developing knowledge and competencies. Brought on by the pandemic, higher educational institutions opted to establish the new normal of education, flexible learning, which heavily integrates technology into the practice.
Researchers aimed to explore the teaching experiences of nurse facilitators on flexible learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study utilized a qualitative design with a descriptive phenomenological study design. Participants were selected through the inclusion and exclusion criteria set. Recruitment of participants was done through face-to-face and online platforms. Informed consent forms were given before the interview. An audio recorder was used with the participants’ consent during the interview. During the data gathering procedure, reflexivity, triangulation, and rigor were established. Colaizzi's method of analysis was used for the treatment of data.
Based on the results, the researchers concluded that COVID-19 made nurse facilitators face various new experiences and challenges. Despite these challenges they are able to honed new skills and competencies in the field of computer know-how, strengthened their bonds with one another, relied on their initiative and resources, reduced the cost of daily living, and formulated simulated the in-hospital experiences. With successful adaptation to their new mode of education nurse facilitators came out of it with new learnings: adapting to modern technologies and online platforms for education, being better equipped to handle the challenges noted in this study as well as others that may come.
This study led to the researchers recommending: creation of contingency plans and nurse facilitators should continue upgrading their skills in line with the change of learning methods. Newfound skills and knowledge of nurse facilitators regarding technologies and online platforms should be identified and used collaboratively through assisting fellow facilitators. Future studies can consider the following; comparison of experiences with other universities not only limited to Benguet State University to assess diverse experiences and considering facilitators from other degree programs.
