Using peer tutoring program in the basic skills laboratory and clinical practice: experience of nursing students

Abstract

Background: The peer tutoring program in the clinical and basic skill laboratory enhances the student’s satisfaction by reducing their individual anxieties. Aim: The study was carried out in order to evaluate the efficiency of peer tutoring program that was applied to improve the skills of students at clinical skills laboratory and clinical practice. Methods: In the study, descriptive phenomenological approach was used. Six third-year students were selected as tutors, and in-depth focus group interviews were conducted with 22 second-year students who participated in the peer tutoring program. The study was carried out in the skills laboratory in June 2016, within the scope of the “Nursing Fundamentals” course, in the context of basic skills and nursing care plan preparation in clinical applications. Content analysis revealed categories, themes, and sub-themes. Results: Results of the study were presented in the following 4 themes and sub-themes: (1) “comfortable learning environment” (one of us, convenient communication), (2) “increasing social interaction” (accessible, friendly approach), (3) “increase in self-confidence” (feeling accomplished), and (4) “effects in clinical practice” (clinical environment, lack of knowledge). Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that the use of the peer tutoring program increased the students’ self-confidence and social interaction to work in a comfortable learning environment without experiencing any judgment and stress, and it also facilitated learning.