Perception and Utilization of Problem-Based Learning by Nurse Educators in Cross River State, Nigeria

Problem based learning is one of the innovations in tertiary education where appropriate problem is used to increase knowledge and understanding but Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has not yet incorporated it into the curricular of nursing education. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to assess nurse educators’ perception of problem-based learning in order to provide useful information for necessary intervention. The study was a descriptive survey. A convenience sampling technique was used and 40 nurse educators out of 58 in Calabar participated in the study. Furthermore, 6 out 10 nursing educational institutions in Cross River State were used. A self-developed and well validated questionnaire served as an instrument for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. The results revealed that most of the respondents 29(75.5%) were females. With regards to professional and educational qualifications, all the respondents were registered nurses and most of the respondents were B.N.Sc./BSc./B. Ed degree holders 16(40%), while Masters’ Degree holders were 15 (37.5%). The results revealed that majority of the respondents had a positive view and attitude towards problem-based learning and would like it to be introduced into nursing educational institutions. The study suggests that nurse educators will be positively disposed to the use of problem-based learning in teaching-learning process as it is being used in most professional courses in developed and developing countries. Therefore, it was suggested that all stakeholders in nursing educational institutions should organize workshops and seminars to orientate nurse educators on problem-based learning. The curriculum for training of student nurses should be reviewed to reflect problem-based learning.