Nursing students' experiences of using a smart phone application for a physical assessment course: A qualitative study

Aim It is important that nurses possess adequate clinical skills so that the patient receives safe and competent care. Smart phone applications (apps) can promote active learning and the long-term retention of knowledge of undergraduate students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the thoughts and experiences of nursing students who received a smart phone, app-based physical assessment educational intervention. Methods A qualitative descriptive approach with in-depth interviews was considered as suitable to obtain a comprehensive understanding of students' experiences of a smart phone-enabled physical assessment course. Results Based on interviews with 16 nursing students following the intervention, five themes were derived from the analysis of the interview transcripts: "the APP's physical assessment scenarios are very close to real-life clinical situations," "watching physical assessment videos over the APP is a quick way to learn what to do," "the APP is a new way of learning that enhances thinking and reflection," "some nursing students felt that it was out of their depth to analyze the scenarios in the APP," and "the APP needs enhancements in stability and interactivity." Conclusion The findings of this study showed the mobile app as an effective learning aid that promoted transferability of the nursing students' knowledge and past experience. With the help of the APP, the teachers could offer timely guidance to the students.