Does learning environment differ in BSc. Nursing degree programmes in Sri Lankan state universities?

Abstract

Abstract. The optimum learning environment of the degree programme provides better indication of its quality. Therefore, the objective of the study is to assess the learning environment of BSc. Nursing degree programmes in Sri Lankan state universities. A descriptive crosssectional study conducted among all 4th year nursing undergraduates who were studying in six Sri Lankan state universities; University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Peradeniya, Ruhuna, Jaffna, Eastern and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. These universities are mentioned anonymously in arbitrarily order. The sample size was 161 and the data was collected by already validated Dundee Ready Education Environment (DREEM) questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of five domains; student’s perception of learning, student’s perception of teachers, student’s academic self-perception, student’s perception of atmosphere and student’s self-perception. Overall scores of DREEM and subdomains scores were calculated and categorized into the very poor, significant problem, more positive than negative and excellent groups. The results revealed that the median score (±IQR) of DREEM were 127 ± 12, 130 ± 31, 127 ± 18, 133 ± 16, 129 ± 23, 126 ± 13 among universities out of 200. It showed that there was more positive than the negative environment in all BSc. Nursing degree programmes. Furthermore, the subdomains of DREEM also revealed that all median scores were within more positive than the negative group but moving to the lower margin. Therefore remedial actions should be taken to uplift the learning environment to improve the quality of all bachelor nursing degree programme in Sri Lanka in future.