Learning experiences and resilience among undergraduate student nurses during COVID-19 at Makerere University

Abstract

Covid-19 pandemic caused a lot of devastating effects in different communities around the world but education and economic activities have been greatly affected. The pandemic imposed online teaching and learning in most institutions of education globally for which many were unfamiliar with and could face difficulties in adopting it abruptly especially in developing countries. The aim of the study was to explore the learning experiences with the blended mode of teaching and learning that was imposed by covi-19 and to assess the levels of resilience among undergraduate student nurses during covid-19 pandemic at Makerere University. Methodology: Qualitative and quantitative study designs were employed in the study. A total of 79 respondents were recruited for the quantitative method and data was collected online using a self-administered questionnaire of subscale-1 of the Adult Resilience Measure-Revised (ARM-R). Data was analyzed using SPSS software program version 24. Upon analysis of quantitative data 12 participants were purposively selected for two focused group discussions each with six participants. One for those with low resilience scores (FGD1) and the other for those with high resilience scores (FGD2). Focused group discussions were audio recorded using a recorder and data was analyzed by inductive thematic content analysis using MAXQDA software program version 2022. Results: Majority of undergraduate student nurses (67%) were highly resilient during covid-19 pandemic. Both undergraduate student nurses with high and low resilience levels were negatively affected but those with low resilience levels were most affected. Poor internet connections, unfavorable learning environment, financial constraints and lack of knowledge were the major challenges experienced. Undergraduate student nurses with high resilience levels had better copying strategies than those with low resilience levels. There quality of learning and performance declined among all undergraduate student nurses. Limitations: The findings of this study cannot be generalized to the entire University student population because a small proportion was used to obtain the results.