Nursing students’perception and Associated factors towards their educational environment in governmental universities of Southwest, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Due to many negative aspects of educational environment tudents have not well attaining their professional demands that affect their perception and qualities of nursing care delivered to the community. Thus, assessment of students’ perception and associated factors towards educational environment is vital to forecast the value of teaching and learning systems. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess nursing student’s perception and factors affecting towards their educational environment in governmental universities of southwest, Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based quantitative cross-sectional study design supplemented by in-depth interview method.Then validated Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM)was administered by Amharic and Afan Oromo version from April 9 to 23/2019 on 422 subjects. The data wasentered in to Epi data 3.1, exported to SPSS 23,analyzed using linear regression and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.85 for all variables,the total DREEM mean scores, sub scores, SD, 95%C.I.were calculated and a P-value < 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: Out of 422 subjects, 405 answered the questionnaire entirely which give a response rate of 96%. Overall mean perception of nursing students was 124.76/200(corresponding to 62.4%) which implies that, more positive than negative educational environment.The DREEM subscales mean scores shows that, students perception of learning 31.61(66%) i.e., more positive perception; perception of teachers 25.4(58%)i.e.,moving in the right direction;academic self perception 22.52(70.3%)i.e., more positive; perceptionof atmospheres 29.178(61%)i.e.,Positive attitudes;and social self perception16.08(57.4%)i.e.,not so bad. There was statistically a significant relationship with nursing student’s perception and study years, academic status, gender, marital status, student’s ability to remember, motivation to learn, satisfaction with learning process, student’s support system and learning facilities. Conclusion and recommendation: Nursing student’s perception towards their educational environment was more positive than negative in south west governmental Universities of Ethiopia. To make the educational environment more attractive and an excellent, specific affecting factor should require close intervention, monitoring and evaluation.