title: Developing professional attributes in critical care nurses using Team-Based Learning.
abstract: Australian nurses prepare for specialty practice by undertaking postgraduate theoretical and clinical education in partnership models between universities and hospitals. In our global healthcare system, nurses require advanced critical thinking and strong communication skills to provide safe, high quality patient care. Yet, few education programs focus on developing these skills. Team-Based Learning (TBL) is a specific educational strategy that encourages and rewards students to think critically and solve clinical problems individually and in teams. The aim of this study was to investigate critical care nursing students' perceptions and experiences of TBL after it was introduced into the second half of their postgraduate specialty course. Following Ethics Committee approval, thirty-two students were invited to participate in an extended response questionnaire on their perceptions of TBL as part of a larger study. Data were analyzed thematically. Postgraduate students perceived their professional growth was accelerated due to the skills and knowledge acquired through TBL. Four themes underpinned the development and accelerated acquisition of specialty nurse attributes due to TBL: Engagement, Learning Effectiveness, Critical Thinking, and Motivation to Participate. Team-Based Learning offered deep and satisfying learning experiences for students. The early acquisition of advanced critical thinking, teamwork and communication skills, and specialty practice knowledge empowered nurses to provide safe patient care with confidence.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia. Electronic address: judy.currey@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Currey
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eustace
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia. Electronic address: elizabeth.oldland@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oldland
authors.affiliation: Deakin University & Epworth Healthcare, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia. Electronic address: David.Glanville@epworth.org.au.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glanville
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia. Electronic address: ian.story@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Story
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003142:Communication; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000193:education*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D017145:Models, Educational; D009726:Nurses; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Critical care; Critical thinking; Nursing education; Team-Based Learning