Abstract
Aim: To come up with a newly developed survey tool that will measure the students' level of quality in writing nursing care plans (NCPs).
Background: Exploring various challenges of students in writing NCP would enlighten educators to design innovative strategies on how to mitigate gaps between nursing education and practice.
Methods: This study utilized an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design in three stages. In phase 1, qualitative semi-structured interviews of 22 students were conducted, and the data were analysed using the Colaizzi method. In phase 2, qualitative results were transformed into survey components, constructs and items, and the data were developed into a new survey tool based on the nursing process system (NPS) model. In phase 3, a quantitative cross-sectional survey of 195 nursing students was conducted to measure their level of quality in writing NCP, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics of the SPSS software.
Results: In the first (qualitative) phase, five themes emerged from various challenges of nursing students in writing care plans: (a) data gathering; (b) identifying clients' problems; (c) formulating sustainable goals; (d) providing appropriate interventions; and (5) recognizing client's outcomes. In the second phase, a valid and reliable tool called the Student Survey on Writing Nursing Care Plan (SSW-NCP) was developed and tested. Lastly, in the third (quantitative) phase, the nursing students have shown a 'very good' level of quality in writing NCP.
Conclusion: Determining students' level of quality in writing NCP would come up with comprehensive ways of improving student competencies in patient care management.
Implications for Nursing Management: The survey tool that is formulated from the study will provide relevant information for nurse educators and managers in managing students' and registered nurses' capabilities in writing an excellent care plan.