Determining attitudes toward e-learning: what are the attitudes of health professional students?

AIM: The research was carried out to determine the attitudes of nursing undergraduate students toward e-learning implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. SUBJECT AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 320 undergraduate students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Department of a state university. Personal Information Form and the Test of e-Learning Related Attitudes were administered to the research participants. RESULTS: Of the students, 68.8% were female and 51.6% were between the ages of 21–24. The attitude of 55.3% (177) toward e-learning is negative. Attitude scores of students aged 25–29 were significantly higher compared to those aged 17–20 and 21–24 years old (p = 0.002). The attitude scores of the students who have a computer are significantly higher than those who do not (p = 0.001). Most students did not agree with the statement “E-learning will provide me with better learning opportunities than conventional learning methods.” (disagree n = 121; 37.8%, strongly disagree n = 110; 34.4%). CONCLUSION: It is noticed that e-learning is not sufficient in subjects such as conducting clinical and laboratory practices in health sciences fields with practical training like nursing, and students’ attitudes are generally negative. For undergraduate health sciences education, face-to-face and online education for support purposes can be used together in theoretical courses. In addition, it is recommended to use effective online communication techniques in online courses.