Nursing students' interprofessional socialisation and readiness for interprofessional learning: A cross-sectional research study

Abstract

Background: Interprofessional education programs in university settings have facilitated the development of student attributes needed to become a team-player, understand roles and responsibilities of other health disciplines, and acquire knowledge to deliver patient-centred care. Although the benefits of interprofessional education are widely acknowledged, there is limited research on interprofessional socialisation within university contexts.

Objectives: To examine readiness of undergraduate nursing students for interprofessional learning and interprofessional socialisation.

Design: A cross-sectional design was used to examine the correlation between interprofessional learning and socialisation, and group differences between mode of study, year level, and prior healthcare experience.

Setting: A large Australian regional university, across two campuses.

Participants: A total of 103 undergraduate nursing students across year levels, including 58 enrolled on-campus, and 45 studying externally.

Method: Students completed an online survey using the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale and the Interprofessional Socialisation and Valuing Scale. Data analyses included independent t-tests, and a one-way between subjects ANOVA.

Results: No significant differences in student readiness for interprofessional learning or interprofessional socialisation were found between on-campus and external modes of study and between healthcare experience and no prior healthcare experience. Participants with previous healthcare experience had significantly higher scores for interprofessional socialisation than those with no previous healthcare experience.

Conclusions: Readiness for interprofessional learning and interprofessional socialisation and were not impacted by the students' mode of study; however, previous experience in the healthcare industry and duration of study significantly improved interprofessional socialisation skills. As nursing students advance through their study, they may experience interprofessional education opportunities that influence their perceived socialisation skills.

Keywords: Interprofessional education; Interprofessional socialisation; Nursing students; Readiness for interprofessional learning.