Associations Between Nursing Students' Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes and Participation in Experiential Learning on Care for People With Disabilities

Abstract

Background: Experiential learning activities on care for people with disabilities (PWD) would help nursing students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) needed to provide quality care for PWD. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceived changes in nursing students' KSAs related to the care for PWD following participation in health assessment and prevention (HAP) experiential learning activities. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental, pre- and posttest educational intervention study. Nursing students (n = 160) attended multiple experiential learning activities as a required part of their HAP coursework and completed a pre and posttest survey to assess changes in their KSAs. Results: Participation in experiential learning activities on care for PWD was associated with significant increases in perceived knowledge, skills and positive attitudes toward PWD. Conclusions: Experiential learning activities aligned with core competencies for health care providers caring for PWDs have the potential to change nursing care and address health inequities for this population.