Generation Z nursing students’ online learning experiences during COVID-19 epidemic: A qualitative study

In early 2022, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continued to spread quickly globally and broke out in some metropolitan areas. To stop the spread of infection, all colleges and universities were shifted to a closed model, and higher education was transformed into online learning (OL). These transitions posed numerous challenges for Generation Z students, especially those in the nursing profession that featured face-to-face practice courses. This study aimed to explore and understand the experiences of OL among Generation Z nursing students during COVID-19 epidemic. This qualitative phenomenological research design applied a purposive sampling approach to enroll 14 Generation Z nursing students from a college. Data were collected and analyzed using in-depth, semi-structured interviews and Colaizzi seven-step method. The analysis demonstrated four themes and eleven subthemes: challenges encountered during OL, advantages perceived during OL, experience of loneliness and stress, and developing resilience during OL. This study concluded that the sudden shift in learning styles presents challenges to Generation Z nursing students. Despite the adversity, the students showed tremendous resilience and endurance. During the pandemic, educators should provide support measures based on the characteristics of Generation Z to improve the effectiveness of OL and respond positively to stress.