title: Emotional connection and integration: dominant themes among undergraduate nursing students using a virtual community.
abstract: The use of virtual communities is an emerging pedagogical application that enhances student learning in nursing education. This study involved a sample of 40 undergraduate students enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program using The Neighborhood as a teaching application across the curriculum. The students were followed over three successive semesters. Using the qualitative method of content analysis, student responses generated by open-ended questions were grouped and analyzed to identify major themes. Analysis of the data revealed two primary themes: (1) an emotional connection to specific characters or families, and (2) integration of characters and events into learning activities. Student feedback indicated that virtual communities provide a viable strategy for teaching nursing concepts and their application.
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. gshuster@salud.unm.edu
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shuster
authors.forename: Jean Foret
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Giddens
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roehrig
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D012381:Role Playing; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*