Nursing Students’ Practicums during the COVID-19 Crisis and the Effect on Infection-Prevention Behavior in Students: A Mixed-Method Approach

Background and Objectives: The coronavirus disease pandemic is ongoing. Infection-prevention measures in nursing education (practicum) are essential. However, there are few studies on infection-prevention behaviors among nursing students participating in practicums. We aimed to clarify the effect of practicums during the coronavirus disease crisis on infection-prevention behavior in Japanese nursing students. Materials and Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 third-year nursing students in Osaka City within one week of their clinical placement training. From the results of the interview analysis, we compiled a questionnaire and surveyed 90 third-year students. We conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses. We used descriptive statistics for the quantitative analysis and the chi-squared test for binary variables. Results: From the qualitative analysis, we identified five categories regarding the awareness of infection-prevention measures: <Acquisition of knowledge and skills in infection-prevention measures during nursing practice>, <Defining the experience in infection-prevention measures>, <Changes in attitude towards infection>, <Changes in infection prevention behavior>, and <infection-prevention measures-related issues>. In the quantitative analysis, the practicum students who attended at least three pre-practicum orientations continued wearing masks during lunch breaks and avoided the three Cs. Conclusions: Students could recall the knowledge and experiences gained from pre-practicum orientations/practicums. This experience created a new awareness of infection-prevention and change of infection-prevention behavior. Infection-prevention education using practicums is important for infection-prevention behavior during this pandemic. However, there should be a much larger-scale study to support these findings in the future.