Deltsidou Anna
Background: Information technology (IT) and flexible learning have been gradually implemented in health science departments. Research data show that nursing students’ experience with IT is yet to be improved. The aim of this study was to investigate nursing students’ self reported attitudes on skills in IT use for study purposes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a survey design. The study was carried out at a school of nursing in Central Greece. Three hundred and twenty five students of first, fourth and fifth semester were enrolled in the study. Results: Three hundred and ten out of 325 students responded. 55% of the students were familiar with word processing, while 30 % did not have a PC at home. Two thirds of the students were not skilful in internet usage and 12 % used electronic databases. High cost was reported as the main obstacle (34.2%) for low internet penetration in students. Senior students’competencies were better. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that there was a deficit in students’ IT competencies. IT should be promptly integrated into the nursing curriculum.
