Abstract

Teaching and learning of electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring in an undergraduate nursing program

Author(s): Lisa McKenna, Jill French

Introduction: Electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring is a complex but vital skill for nurses and other health professionals to be competent at. It involves being able to relate anatomical and physiological concepts, competently perform the monitoring, and interpret resulting traces.

Objective: This study explored the effectiveness of current teaching and learning approaches to ECG monitoring in one Australian School of Nursing, and sought to explore the skill components that students perceive to be the most difficult.

Design: A written questionnaire was used to explore a range of aspects relating to the teaching and learning of ECG monitoring. Setting: The study was conducted at a School of Nursing at one campus of an Australian university. Students: One hundred and twenty three second year nursing students volunteered to participate in the study. Main outcome measures: Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS v. 14.0 using descriptive statistics and t-tests, while qualitative data was analysed thematically.

Results: These indicated that current teaching and learning approaches resulted in significant increases in students’ knowledge and skill around ECG monitoring. Further practice was viewed as vital to development of confidence in performing the skill.

Conclusion: ECG monitoring is complex and requires different types of learning. Theoretical sessions, clinical skills laboratories and clinical practice all play a role in facilitating effective learning and confidence in competently performing this skill and interpreting findings.