Blended learning in a health assessment course: A mixed-methods study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to get students’ perceptions about changes made to the health assessment course delivery format from face to face to blended learning (BL). Health assessment is a foundational course in nursing undergraduate programs. Research has suggested that students have high levels of satisfaction with a blended learning format.Methods: A survey was used to gather students’ perceptions about changing a health assessment course from face-to-face delivery format to a blended learning format. All second year BSN students who were registered for the course (N = 88) were invited to participate in the survey at the end of the semester.Results: Most students in this study preferred face to face course delivery. Qualitative results were grouped together into themes: 1) Engagement, 2) E-learning tool, and 3) Confidence. Opinions were mixed concerning the e-learning materials that were used. Overall, students felt they were confident in their assessment skills as they prepared to enter the clinical environment.Conclusions: Findings from this study will impact methods of teaching health assessment and other nursing courses in the future.