Abstract:

Introduction: In nursing education, it is suggested to use different teaching methods such as problem-based teaching, concept mapping to improve problem solving and critical thinking skills of students. This quasiexperimental study with educational intervention was carried out to determine the effect of concept mapping method on problem solving and critical thinking of the intern nursing students. Method: The study was conducted with intern nursing students (n=65) of a Health Sciences Faculty practiced integrated curriculum in 2012-2013 academic year. In this study, it was discussed case studies by using concept mapping method with nursing students practiced in pediatric clinics. The data were collected with questionnaire form, Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) and California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) in pre-post test design. Discussion: Of the intern nursing students; 63.0% were between the ages of 21-23, 73.8% were girls and 93.8% were using the internet. It was determined that the levels of problem-solving and critical thinking of intern nursing students increased after the case studies performed by using the concept mapping method. Conclusion: In this study, it was found to have the positive effect of concept mapping method on the levels of problem solving and critical thinking of the intern nursing students. In the nursing education, the use of the concept mapping method to improve the levels of problem solving and critical thinking of student may be suggested.

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