Evaluation of the Use of Project-Based Learning in the Nursing Degree

Abstract

Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching methodology that allows students to acquire knowledge and competencies through the completion of projects that respond to real-life problems. The aims of this study were to evaluate the acquisition of knowledge of students of the Aging Nursing subject through a PBL-based intervention and determine the degree of student satisfaction with the use of this methodology. A mixed, quasi-experimental, pre–post study was conducted without a control group using an educational intervention based on PBL and descriptive phenomenology with content analysis of the experiences reported after it. A knowledge questionnaire about nursing homes was administered before the start of the intervention. After using PBL to carry out the subject project, the same knowledge questionnaire and an ad hoc questionnaire on satisfaction, assessment, and improvement aspects were administered. In total, 111 nursing students participated. The difference in knowledge after the educational intervention was significant. The mean pre-intervention score was 5.56, SD 1.50, and the mean post-intervention score was 7.14, SD 1.59, (p = 0.001). In total, 74% of the students stated that they were very satisfied with the use of this methodology. The students had a positive perspective on the process of acquiring knowledge that PBL allows. The students improved their knowledge about the planning and management of nursing homes with the use of the project-based learning teaching methodology. They were very satisfied with said activity. Teachers must be adequately trained for the correct implementation of this teaching methodology. This study was not registered.

Keywords

• project-based learning
• higher education
• satisfaction
• nursing
• nursing homes