Abstract:
The effectiveness of various kinds of computer programs is
of concern to nurse-educators. Using a 3x3 experimental
design, ninety second year diploma student nurses were
randomly selected from a total population at three
community colleges in Ontario. Data were collected via a
20-item valid and reliable Likert-type questionnaire
developed by the nursing profession to measure perceptions
of nurses about computers in the nursing role. The groups
were pretested and posttested at the beginning and end of
one semester. Subjects attending College A group received
a computer literacy course which comprised word processing
with technology awareness. College B students were exposed
to computer-aided instruction primarily in nursing
simulations intermittently throughout the semester.
College C subjects maintained their regular curriculum with
no computer involvement. The student's t-test (two-tailed)
was employed to assess the attitude scores data and a
one-way analysis of variance was performed on the attitude
scores. Posttest analysis revealed that there was a
significant difference (p<.05) between attitude scores on
the use of computers in the nursing role between College A and C. No significant differences (p>.05) were seen
between College B and A in posttesting. Suggestions for
continued computer education of diploma student nurses are
provided.
