Abstract
Introduction: Training program is believed to enhance nursing students' knowledge and performance in observational skills, which can be an essential factor in their future practice as nurses working in a psychiatric institution.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of training program for psychiatric nursing students to improve their observational skills.
Materials and Methods: This study used a interventional design. The study sample included 80 nursing students undergoing clinical practice in psychiatric nursing during 2019-20 (10 months). The tools used for data collection were questionnaire to assess nursing student's knowledge and an observational checklist to measure the performance. Percentage distribution, chi-square, and correlation coefficient were used to determine influence of training program on nursing students.
Results: The training program imparted to students was effective as indicated by a highly significant difference between pre/post-training programs in all items of psychiatric nursing students' knowledge. Furthermore, a highly significant difference between pre/post-training programs in all elements of students' observational rating scale was also evident.
Conclusion: The training program improved nursing students' knowledge and performance. Particularly, their observational skills have brought confidence in their exposure and boast their ability in caring for their patients.