Background of the Study
Nursing education emphasizes the acquisition of clinical skills necessary for safe and effective patient care. Traditional teaching methods often rely on didactic lectures and theoretical knowledge, which may not sufficiently prepare students for real-world clinical practice. Cognitive apprenticeship, a learning model that involves mentorship, guided practice, and situated learning, has been proposed as an effective approach for developing clinical skills among nursing students (Johnson et al., 2023). This model enhances learning by allowing students to observe experienced practitioners, engage in hands-on practice, and receive constructive feedback in real clinical settings (Martins & Adeyemi, 2024).
In Nigeria, nursing students at institutions such as the Nasarawa State College of Health Sciences face challenges in clinical training, including limited patient exposure, insufficient supervision, and a lack of structured mentorship programs. The cognitive apprenticeship model, which integrates modeling, scaffolding, and coaching, can bridge the gap between theoretical learning and clinical application, fostering skill mastery and professional competence (Ogunleye & Hassan, 2024). However, despite its potential benefits, there is limited research on the effectiveness of cognitive apprenticeship in Nigerian nursing education. This study aims to examine how cognitive apprenticeship impacts clinical skill mastery among nursing students in Nasarawa State College of Health Sciences.
Statement of the Problem
Despite the rigorous curriculum in nursing education, many students struggle with clinical skill acquisition, leading to concerns about their preparedness for professional practice. Traditional classroom instruction, which focuses on memorization and theoretical concepts, often fails to provide students with adequate hands-on experience (Williams et al., 2024). The lack of practical exposure may result in anxiety, decreased confidence, and errors in clinical settings.
In Nasarawa State College of Health Sciences, nursing students are required to complete clinical rotations, but challenges such as inadequate supervision, limited patient interaction, and the absence of structured mentorship programs hinder their skill mastery. Cognitive apprenticeship has been identified as an effective strategy to enhance clinical learning, yet its implementation in Nigerian nursing education remains limited. This study seeks to evaluate the impact of cognitive apprenticeship on clinical skill mastery and identify strategies for improving nursing education.
Objectives of the Study
Research Questions
Research Hypotheses
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study focuses on nursing students at Nasarawa State College of Health Sciences. It examines the use of cognitive apprenticeship in clinical training and its effects on skill mastery. Limitations include variations in students' prior clinical experience, differences in mentorship quality, and potential resistance from educators accustomed to traditional teaching methods.
Definitions of Terms
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