Utilization and perception of a digital clinical tracking tool in undergraduate nursing education

Introduction

Evaluating undergraduate nursing students’ clinical performance is a complex practice that relies on outdated methods that do not align with the growing use of technology in nursing curricula. This study is an exploration of nursing students’ and clinical instructors’ experiences using a digital evaluation tool or traditional paper-based evaluation tool.

Methods

Third year nursing students and clinical instructors were given the opportunity to use a digital or paper-based evaluation tool during one semester; a survey was sent to all participants at the end of the semester.

Results

Student survey responses indicated that they preferred the digital evaluation tool as it provided for timely and specific in self-reflection and instructor feedback that was easily accessible.

Discussion

A digital evaluation tool is effective in supporting nursing students in the clinical evaluation process through encouraging reflection on specific learning behaviors, timely feedback from instructors, and an overall improvement in their clinical practice.