Experiences of registered nurse midwives with e-learning mode from Ekwendeni College of Health Sciences in Malawi

Abstract

Introduction Literature has reported global experiences with E-learning Nursing Education. However, little is known about the experiences of Registered Nurse Midwives with E-learning nursing education in Malawi. The aim of the study, was to explore the experiences of Registered Nurse Midwives with E-learning mode from Ekwendeni College of Health Sciences. The study was conducted to understand the platforms and applications used during E-learning, and factors that facilitated and affected learning through E-learning mode. Methodology Objective: To explore the experiences of Registered Nurse Midwives with E-learning mode from Ekwendeni College of Health Sciences. Design: This study utilised the qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews in English and Chichewa language using semi-structured interview guide. Chichewa language was used by some participants when responding to some questions. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim into English. Data collected were analysed manually using thematic analysis. Participants: 11 Registered Nurse Midwives were purposively sampled and recruited in the study after giving consent. Setting: The study was conducted in eleven health facilities where registered nurses who completed the E-learning upgrading programme worked. The setting included all levels of health service delivery systems in Northern and Central regions of Malawi. Results The study findings reveal that Registered Nurse Midwives used online and offline applications and platforms during their learning through E-learning mode. Data from RNM also showed that motivation and commitment, support systems and self discipline were factors that facilitated learning through E-learning mode. Inspite of that, RNM also reported that they experienced enormous challenges during their learning through E-learning mode. The challenges were: family and work responsibilities, lack of information and technological skills, inefficient internet Page xii connectivity, unreliable power supply, financial constraints, lack of support and E-learning being a new phenomenon in nursing education at diploma level. Conclusion There are various experiences of registered nurse Midwives with E-learning mode. This implies that Nurses and Midwives have to embrace the professional core values of commitment and hard work in order to attain higher professional qualifications, improve quality of service delivery and E-learning nursing education in Malawi. The study findings also accentuate the need for the profession to have a collaborative partnership with Information and Communication Technology service providers in order to ensure efficiency and efficacy of the E-learning in Nursing Education.

Key words: Experiences, Registered Nurse Midwives, E-learning mode, Ekwendeni College of Health Sciences.