Online Learning Challenges for Nursing Students in Appalachia. 2022

Kelly Morton, and Brad Phillips
About the Authors Kelly Morton, MSN, RN, is an assistant professor, West Virginia University School of Nursing, Beckley, West Virginia. Brad Phillips, PhD, RN, CNE, is an assistant professor, West Virginia University School of Nursing. For more information, contact Dr. Phillips at brad.phillips@hsc.wvu.edu .

It is known that nursing students in an online learning environment may experience challenges related to their quality of life and well-being. However, it is unknown what additional challenges students face in a resource-limited environment like Appalachia. This descriptive study surveyed 154 undergraduate nursing students from a single institution in the Appalachian region at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results reveal that students experienced unique resource-related barriers specific to underserved communities that impacted their online learning experiences. Findings offer unique implications for nurse educators facilitating online learning. Specific ideas for those teaching in resource-limited areas are presented.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011788 Quality of Life A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral, social environment as well as health and disease. HRQOL,Health-Related Quality Of Life,Life Quality,Health Related Quality Of Life
D004508 Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate A four-year program in nursing education in a college or university leading to a B.S.N. (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). Graduates are eligible for state examination for licensure as RN (Registered Nurse). External Degree Programs, Nursing,Nursing Education, Baccalaureate,Baccalaureate Nursing Education,Baccalaureate Nursing Educations,Education, Baccalaureate Nursing,Educations, Baccalaureate Nursing,Nursing Educations, Baccalaureate
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000086382 COVID-19 A viral disorder generally characterized by high FEVER; COUGH; DYSPNEA; CHILLS; PERSISTENT TREMOR; MUSCLE PAIN; HEADACHE; SORE THROAT; a new loss of taste and/or smell (see AGEUSIA and ANOSMIA) and other symptoms of a VIRAL PNEUMONIA. In severe cases, a myriad of coagulopathy associated symptoms often correlating with COVID-19 severity is seen (e.g., BLOOD COAGULATION; THROMBOSIS; ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME; SEIZURES; HEART ATTACK; STROKE; multiple CEREBRAL INFARCTIONS; KIDNEY FAILURE; catastrophic ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME and/or DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION). In younger patients, rare inflammatory syndromes are sometimes associated with COVID-19 (e.g., atypical KAWASAKI SYNDROME; TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME; pediatric multisystem inflammatory disease; and CYTOKINE STORM SYNDROME). A coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, in the genus BETACORONAVIRUS is the causative agent. 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease,2019 Novel Coronavirus Infection,2019-nCoV Disease,2019-nCoV Infection,COVID-19 Pandemic,COVID-19 Pandemics,COVID-19 Virus Disease,COVID-19 Virus Infection,Coronavirus Disease 2019,Coronavirus Disease-19,SARS Coronavirus 2 Infection,SARS-CoV-2 Infection,Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection,COVID19,2019 nCoV Disease,2019 nCoV Infection,2019-nCoV Diseases,2019-nCoV Infections,COVID 19,COVID 19 Pandemic,COVID 19 Virus Disease,COVID 19 Virus Infection,COVID-19 Virus Diseases,COVID-19 Virus Infections,Coronavirus Disease 19,Disease 2019, Coronavirus,Disease, 2019-nCoV,Disease, COVID-19 Virus,Infection, 2019-nCoV,Infection, COVID-19 Virus,Infection, SARS-CoV-2,Pandemic, COVID-19,SARS CoV 2 Infection,SARS-CoV-2 Infections,Virus Disease, COVID-19,Virus Infection, COVID-19
D013338 Students, Nursing Individuals enrolled in a school of nursing or a formal educational program leading to a degree in nursing. Nurses, Pupil,Pupil Nurses,Nursing Student,Nursing Students,Student, Nursing,Nurse, Pupil,Pupil Nurse
D058873 Pandemics Epidemics of infectious disease that have spread to many countries, often more than one continent, and usually affecting a large number of people. Pandemic
D020375 Education, Distance Education via communication media (correspondence, radio, television, computer networks) with little or no in-person face-to-face contact between students and teachers. (ERIC Thesaurus, 1997) Correspondence Courses,Distance Education,Distance Learning,Online Education,Online Learning,Correspondence Course,Course, Correspondence,Education, Online,Learning, Distance,Learning, Online,Online Educations

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