Establishing library ‘key skill’ confidence levels amongst a cohort of nursing students at an English university

Franks, H; McAlonan, C

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a small-scale preliminary survey of one cohort of students studying towards a Diploma/BSc in Nursing. The survey sought to establish student characteristics and indicate their confidence levels using identified key library facilities. From questionnaires (N
=64), the data confirmed the ‘typicality’ of the student group illuminating a breadth of prior experiences in terms of students’ prior learning and perceived confidence in using library resources. Whilst a number of respondents indicated confidence using identified library resources, a significant number of students (typically over one third n
=14+) indicated that they lacked confidence in and did not utilise library facilities. This suggests that they may not be using the resources to full advantage. Over half of the respondents (53% n
=23) had not attended library skills training within the last two years and 9% (n
=4) had not used the library although they were completing assignments. This survey points to gaps in student confidence, and by implication, use of key library skills, particularly those involving electronic resources. At a time of widening participation and the explosion of information technology, this survey is a timely reminder of the need to revisit key skill development for nursing students studying in higher education.

Citation

Franks, H., & McAlonan, C. (2007). Establishing library ‘key skill’ confidence levels amongst a cohort of nursing students at an English university. Nurse Education in Practice, 7(4), 258-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2006.08.001

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 21, 2006
• Online Publication Date: Oct 1, 2020
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2007
• Deposit Date: Oct 5, 2020
• Journal: Nurse Education in Practice
• Print ISSN: 1471-5953
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 258-265
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2006.08.001
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2006.08.001
• Related Public URLs: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/nurse-education-in-practice/
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** Article version: AM ** Embargo end date: 31-12-9999 ** From Elsevier via Jisc Publications Router ** Licence for AM version of this article: This article is under embargo with an end date yet to be finalised. **Journal IDs: issn 14715953 **History: issue date 31-07-2007; accepted 21-08-2006