The Influence of Sense of Community on Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study on their Satisfaction in a Distance Learning Environment

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a sudden shift to distance learning. For many nursing students, distance learning was a new experience. Along with being an essential requirement for retaining students, developing a sense of community is a factor influencing students' success in distance learning. Assessments of the effectiveness of e-learning have been well documented in the literature. However, there is a dearth of research that assessed nursing students’ sense of community. This study aimed to assess students’ sense of community during e-learning, while determining its impact on their level of satisfaction. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study used convenience sampling to collect data via a student satisfaction survey and a classroom community scale. Nursing students were recruited from 13 public and private nursing programs in Saudi Arabia. Results: There was a positive and significant correlation between a sense of community and satisfaction with teaching (r = .269, p < .001), satisfaction with assessment (r = .258, p < .001), satisfaction with generic skills and learning experiences (r = .238, p < .001), and total satisfaction with e-learning (r = .07, p < .001). Students who perceived themselves as working collaboratively with their classmates and being more engaged in their learning were more satisfied with e-learning (p<.01). There were no significant variations in the participants’ satisfaction by age (β = −.06, p > .05) and sex (β = −.283, p > .05). However, school level was significantly correlated with satisfaction with e-learning. Specifically, students in lower levels of their nursing school had higher satisfaction rates with e-learning (95% CI [.08, 1.33], [F (3, 99) = 6.96, p < .001, β = −.335, R2 = .174]).Conclusions: Failing to meet student expectations can lead to low levels of student involvement. Thus, students’ engagement and satisfaction are good indicators of the quality and effectiveness of online programs. This study calls for further action through seminars and training sessions to introduce innovative teaching techniques and alternative assessment plans for learners in advanced levels. This study helps educational institutions devise strategies to enhance the level of interaction and cooperation among nursing students.