Influencing Factors on Nursing Students’ Learning Flow during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Method Research

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting nursing students' learning flow in COVID-19 pandemic situations through mixed-method research. METHOD: Of the 245 nursing students participating in the survey, 20 participated in a focus group interview. Quantitative data were analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: The factors affecting the learning flow of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic were their self-regulated learning ability (β = .24, p = .001); learning motivation (β = .23, p = .001); self-efficacy in clinical practice (β = .14, p = .014); and lecture type, or a mixture of recorded and real-time video lectures (β = .13, p = .022). As a result of the qualitative study, eight categories and 22 subcategories were derived. The eight categories are: a lack of preparation in the starting of virtual classes, adapting and growing in a new learning environment, enhancing nursing knowledge and skills through virtual clinical training, self-regulation difficulties when studying alone due to social distancing, difficulty concentrating when learning online, disadvantages of virtual learning, concerns about academic performance, and missing opportunities to enjoy college life. CONCLUSION: Students attempted to discover their own learning expertise through virtual learning while concerned that they would be unable to fully establish their competence to work as actual hospital nurses due to a lack of clinical practice. In such a learning environment, systematic support and strategies are needed to increase the learning flow of nursing students.