Effects of cooperative learning on undergraduate nursing students: a quasi- experimental study

Hui Chen Lee; Yu Jung Lin; Lee Kuen Tai; Huang Ting Ting; Ching Ting Jenny Lai

doi:10.1515/ijnes-2024-0069

Article

Effects of cooperative learning on undergraduate nursing students: a quasi- experimental study

Hui Chen Lee , Yu Jung Lin , Lee Kuen Tai , Huang Ting Ting and Ching Ting Jenny Lai

Published/Copyright: March 12, 2025

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From the journal International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship Volume 22 Issue 1

Abstract

Aim

This study evaluated the effect of cooperative learning on the attitude, satisfaction, and performance of undergraduate nursing students enrolled in community nursing courses.

Design

A one-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design.

Methods

This study was conducted at a university in northern Taiwan. A total of 49 fourth-year nursing students were included in the study. The students’ attitude toward cooperative learning was measured using the Chinese version of the Group Cooperative Learning scale at three time points: before the intervention, after the 8-week preclinical course intervention, and after a 5-week clinical practicum. Course satisfaction was evaluated using a structured survey. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine changes in attitude over time.

Results

The students’ attitude toward cooperative learning was significantly improved after the intervention (p<0.05), with continued enhancement after the clinical practicum. The rates of course satisfaction were high, indicating a positive reception of the cooperative learning format. Clinical instructors reported enhanced group dynamics and individual accountability during the community nursing practicum.

Implications for an International Audience

Implementing cooperative learning can help nursing educators across different cultural and institutional settings foster critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills. This study supports the global integration of cooperative learning into nursing curricula, emphasizing its role in preparing students for collaborative, patient-centered care in diverse healthcare environments.

Conclusions

Cooperative learning significantly benefits undergraduate nursing students by improving attitude, academic and practical performance, and course satisfaction.

Keywords: community health nursing; cooperative behavior; nursing education; teaching method

Corresponding author: Dr. Ching Ting Jenny Lai, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, 365, Mingde Rd., Beitou District, Taipei City, 112303, Taiwan R.O.C, E-mail: chingting@ntunhs.edu.tw

Funding source: Teaching Practice Research Program of the Ministry of Education of Taiwan

Award Identifier / Grant number: PMN1080133

Research ethics: The research related to human use has complied with all the relevant national regulations, institutional policies, and in accordance with the tenets of the Helsinki Declaration, and has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of National Taiwan University (IRB no. 201908ES008).
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
Conflict of interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Research funding: This research was funded by the Teaching Practice Research Program of the Ministry of Education of Taiwan (PMN1080133). The funding organization played no role in the study design, in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, or in the decision to submit for publication.
Data availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, CT J Lai. The data are not publicly available due to privacy and ethical restrictions.

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Received: 2024-08-10

Accepted: 2025-02-18

Published Online: 2025-03-12

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijnes-2024-0069

Keywords for this article

community health nursing; cooperative behavior; nursing education; teaching method