title: Comparing the Effect of Concept Mapping and Conventional Methods on Nursing Students' Practical Skill Score.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Development of practical skills in the field of nursing education has remained a serious and considerable challenge in nursing education. Moreover, newly graduated nurses may have weak practical skills, which can be a threat to patients' safety.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was conducted to compare the effect of concept mapping and conventional methods on nursing students' practical skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 nursing students randomly assigned into two groups of 35 people. The intervention group was taught through concept mapping method, while the control group was taught using conventional method. A two-part instrument was used including a demographic information form and a checklist for direct observation of procedural skills. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, independent samples t-tests and paired t-test were used to analyze data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before education, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the three skills of cleaning (P = 0.251), injection (P = 0.185) and sterilizing (P = 0.568). The students mean scores were significantly increased after the education and the difference between pre and post intervention of students mean scores were significant in the both groups (P < 0.001). However, after education, in all three skills the mean scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concept mapping was superior to conventional skill teaching methods. It is suggested to use concept mapping in teaching practical courses such as fundamentals of nursing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nasrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rasoul Zadeh
authors.affiliation: Trauma Nursing Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sadeghi Gandomani
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delaram
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Zohre
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Parsa Yekta
keywords: Concept Mapping; Conventional Teaching Method; Nursing; Practical Skills; Students