E-Learning Experiences and Stressors of Nursing Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt.

2 Lecturer of Psychiatric Health Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic caused an immediate and significant shift in how nursing education can be delivered. Aim: Exploring the experience of nursing college student with e-learning and its related stressors. Design: qualitative phenomenological research. Sample:  A purposive sample of 20 nursing college students from grades 1 to 4. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using WhatsApp mobile messaging and Zoom meeting applications. Semi-structured interviews included two parts: demographic characteristics of the students and six open-ended questions for exploring the experience of nursing college student with e-learning and its related stressors. Setting: The study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing Cairo University. Results: The lived experience of e-learning and its related stressors among nursing college students in the current study is presented in seven major themes; living in uncertainty, psychological suffering, privileges of e-learning vs. traditional method, educational difficulties, challenges of e-learning, and stress management techniques used with e-learning. Conclusion: Nursing students generally view e-learning as a successful experience to some extent. However, they reported many challenges and stressors associated with e-learning, including unreliable internet, and perceived the faculty is unprepared to teach in this environment. Therefore, it is recommended to replicate the research on a large sample and in different settings to achieve more generalization. Also, to train teaching staff, students to deal with distance learning sites and programs and give oral and written assignments and directions.

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