Undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions on nursing education during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic: A national sample

Abstract

Background

In 2020, nursing educational programs were abruptly interrupted and largely moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose

To explore nursing students’ perspectives about the effects of the pandemic on their education and intention to join the nursing workforce.

Methods

Undergraduate nursing students from 5 universities across 5 United States regions were invited to participate in an online survey to elicit both quantitative and qualitative data.

Findings

The final sample included quantitative data on 772 students and qualitative data on 540 students. Largely (65.1%), students reported that the pandemic strengthened their desire to become a nurse; only 11% had considered withdrawing from school. Qualitatively, students described the effect of the pandemic on their psychosocial wellbeing, adjustment to online learning, and challenges to clinical experiences.

Conclusion

Findings highlighted the need to develop emergency education preparedness plans that address student wellbeing and novel collaborative partnerships between schools and clinical partners.