Students’ opinions on the peer education approach in nursing skill training

Abstract

The developments in education have changed the learning environments from teacher-centered approach to learner-centered practices. The role of the educator in adult education must be to facilitate learning rather than teaching. The aim of this study is to determine the opinions of first and second year nursing students on the use of the peer education method in skill training. This descriptive study was conducted with the first and second year students at the nursing department of a university. The data were collected using the descriptive characteristics form and student opinion form regarding peer education. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used in the statistical analysis of the data. In skill traning performed with peer educators; most of the students stated that they felt more comfortable (81.0%), participated in the skill training willingly (82.6%) and their stress decreased during skill training (82.6%). 78.9% of the students said that they could form good relationships with peer educators, 77.8% said they could ask their peer educators comfortably. The students stated that they wanted peer educators in clinical practice (83.7%) because they were satisfied with this method. In addition it is determined that the opinions of students about peer education are similar in terms of gender, class, family income status and place of residence during university education (p>0.05). It is seen that the vast majority of students are satisfied with the skill trainings conducted with peer educators. It is recommended to use peer education method in skills training and to develop a standard peer education method in clinical practice.