Objectives: To assess the prior knowledge of teaching methods among nurse lecturers before participating in the train-of-trainer workshop, namely “Covid-19 and Nursing Education: Strengthening nurse lecturers’ teaching capacities and learning environments for the new nornal”. Subjects and methods: A cross - sectional study was used to assess the knowledge of teaching methods of all nurse lectures from five nursing schools. An online survey, which had 25 items related to 05 topics in the workshop, was developed. Results: 26 nurse lecturers completed this online survey. The results of the pre-test survey showed that the average score of knowledge about teaching methods was 12 (± 2.8) with the possible score ranged from 0 - 25 points. Only 02 lecturers correctly answered 19 questions out of a total of 25 questions. The most incorrect answers were given by the lecturers in the knowledge area about debriefing techniques in simulation training and peer support methods. Conclusion: The initial results of knowledge regarding teaching methods indicated the need of conducting the training program for nurse lecturers. The study outcome has potential application based on its series of training workshops, teaching demonstration and a combination of quantitative and qualitative evaluation on the effectiveness of the training program.

Students’ learning experiences are considered useful indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching in tertiary education. With limited theory-driven research, this study aimed to examine whether the educational environment is able to mediate the relationship between student workload and generic skills. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1347 nursing students in ten nursing schools across Vietnam from November 2021 to January 2022. The results showed that the total score of the students’ workload and the generic skills were 3.25 ± 0.59 and 3.84 ± 0.56 (possible score: 1-5), respectively. Students were at an “agree” level with statements like “the sheer volume of work to be got through in this course means you can’t comprehend it” and “as results of doing this course, I feel more confident about tackling unfamiliar problem”. Most nursing students rated the educational environment at levels of “more positive educational environment” (N=1018, 75.58%), with a total score of 120.75 ± 20.78 (possible score: 0-200). The educational environment was identified as a mediator in the relationships between the workload and the generic skills. The direct effect on workload was -0.00035 which was not significant (p=0.987) with the generic skills. The indirect effect of workload that passes through the educational environment was -0.07 and is also statistically significant, at p= 0.002. As such, the study suggests that, to enhance students’ generic skills, it is necessary to instruct students in efficient learning strategies to help them manage their academic workload, particularly during unexpected situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, despite the occurrence of a high level of student workload, nursing schools could focus on efficient tactics and interventions to improve the educational environment, which subsequently helps to improve students’ outcomes.