Competencies and needs of nurse educators and clinical mentors for teaching in the digital age – a multi-institutional, cross-sectional study
Abstract Background The impact of technology and digitalization on health care systems will transform the nursing profession worldwide. Nurses need digital competencies to integrate new technology in their professional activities. Nurse educators play a crucial role in promoting the acquisition of d...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Nursing |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-01018-6 |
| _version_ | 1811188956180512768 |
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| author | Stefan Jobst Ulrike Lindwedel Helga Marx Ronja Pazouki Sven Ziegler Peter König Christiane Kugler Johanna Feuchtinger |
| author_facet | Stefan Jobst Ulrike Lindwedel Helga Marx Ronja Pazouki Sven Ziegler Peter König Christiane Kugler Johanna Feuchtinger |
| author_sort | Stefan Jobst |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The impact of technology and digitalization on health care systems will transform the nursing profession worldwide. Nurses need digital competencies to integrate new technology in their professional activities. Nurse educators play a crucial role in promoting the acquisition of digital competences and therefore need to be digitally competent themselves. Research on digital competencies of nursing educators is scarce but suggests lack of digital knowledge and skills and support needs. Although digitalization is to be seen as a global process, regional contexts need to be taken into account, such as pre-existing competencies, local conditions, and individual needs. Thus, it remains unclear which competencies nurse educators possess and which support needs they have. Aim of this study was to assess nurse educators’ and clinical mentors’ digital competencies and explore their needs and requirements concerning the digital aspects of their pedagogy and teaching activities in Germany. Methods A descriptive exploratory study with a cross-sectional design was conducted. Participants were identified using a convenience sampling approach. Data were collected during July and September 2020 using a standardized self-reported questionnaire that was developed specifically for this study. The questionnaire was provided in a paper and online format and participants could decide which format to use. It contained open- and closed-ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis. Additionally, explorative subgroup analyses based on job designation, age, and gender were performed. Reporting of this study adhered to the STROBE checklist. Results A total of 169 educating nurses participated in the survey. The respondents considered themselves as digitally competent and showed a positive attitude towards the integration of digital technology in their teaching activities. Their perceived preparedness to integrate digital technology into teaching and training varied. Almost all respondents (98%) declared a need for further training and seemed motivated to participate in corresponding educational events. There were some indications for differences in competencies or needs between subgroups. Conclusions Educating nurses appear to possess basic digital competencies but there is a need to support their professional development in terms of new technologies. Findings can be used as a basis for developing supportive interventions. Further qualitative investigations could inform the design and content of such interventions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:27:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9179863995fe4a9ebf8d131332622de4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6955 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:27:20Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nursing |
| spelling | doaj.art-9179863995fe4a9ebf8d131332622de42022-12-22T04:18:48ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552022-08-0121111310.1186/s12912-022-01018-6Competencies and needs of nurse educators and clinical mentors for teaching in the digital age – a multi-institutional, cross-sectional studyStefan Jobst0Ulrike Lindwedel1Helga Marx2Ronja Pazouki3Sven Ziegler4Peter König5Christiane Kugler6Johanna Feuchtinger7Institute of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgCenter of Implementing Nursing Care InnovationsCenter of Implementing Nursing Care InnovationsInstitute of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgCenter of Implementing Nursing Care InnovationsCenter of Implementing Nursing Care InnovationsInstitute of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgCenter of Implementing Nursing Care InnovationsAbstract Background The impact of technology and digitalization on health care systems will transform the nursing profession worldwide. Nurses need digital competencies to integrate new technology in their professional activities. Nurse educators play a crucial role in promoting the acquisition of digital competences and therefore need to be digitally competent themselves. Research on digital competencies of nursing educators is scarce but suggests lack of digital knowledge and skills and support needs. Although digitalization is to be seen as a global process, regional contexts need to be taken into account, such as pre-existing competencies, local conditions, and individual needs. Thus, it remains unclear which competencies nurse educators possess and which support needs they have. Aim of this study was to assess nurse educators’ and clinical mentors’ digital competencies and explore their needs and requirements concerning the digital aspects of their pedagogy and teaching activities in Germany. Methods A descriptive exploratory study with a cross-sectional design was conducted. Participants were identified using a convenience sampling approach. Data were collected during July and September 2020 using a standardized self-reported questionnaire that was developed specifically for this study. The questionnaire was provided in a paper and online format and participants could decide which format to use. It contained open- and closed-ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis. Additionally, explorative subgroup analyses based on job designation, age, and gender were performed. Reporting of this study adhered to the STROBE checklist. Results A total of 169 educating nurses participated in the survey. The respondents considered themselves as digitally competent and showed a positive attitude towards the integration of digital technology in their teaching activities. Their perceived preparedness to integrate digital technology into teaching and training varied. Almost all respondents (98%) declared a need for further training and seemed motivated to participate in corresponding educational events. There were some indications for differences in competencies or needs between subgroups. Conclusions Educating nurses appear to possess basic digital competencies but there is a need to support their professional development in terms of new technologies. Findings can be used as a basis for developing supportive interventions. Further qualitative investigations could inform the design and content of such interventions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-01018-6Nursing educationNurse educatorClinical mentorDigital technologyDigital competenceSurvey |
| spellingShingle | Stefan Jobst Ulrike Lindwedel Helga Marx Ronja Pazouki Sven Ziegler Peter König Christiane Kugler Johanna Feuchtinger Competencies and needs of nurse educators and clinical mentors for teaching in the digital age – a multi-institutional, cross-sectional study BMC Nursing Nursing education Nurse educator Clinical mentor Digital technology Digital competence Survey |
| title | Competencies and needs of nurse educators and clinical mentors for teaching in the digital age – a multi-institutional, cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Competencies and needs of nurse educators and clinical mentors for teaching in the digital age – a multi-institutional, cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Competencies and needs of nurse educators and clinical mentors for teaching in the digital age – a multi-institutional, cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Competencies and needs of nurse educators and clinical mentors for teaching in the digital age – a multi-institutional, cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Competencies and needs of nurse educators and clinical mentors for teaching in the digital age – a multi-institutional, cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | competencies and needs of nurse educators and clinical mentors for teaching in the digital age a multi institutional cross sectional study |
| topic | Nursing education Nurse educator Clinical mentor Digital technology Digital competence Survey |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-01018-6 |
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