Nursing students' experiences and perceptions of an anatomy laboratory session: Mixed methods study
Abstract
Many nursing curricula do not offer anatomy laboratories and exposure to cadaveric material. In this mixed methods study, nursing students' perceptions and experiences from an anatomy laboratory session were examined. Students from two academic nursing programs (a four‐year general baccalaureate nursing program and a two‐year accelerated nursing program for non‐nursing baccalaureate graduates) took part in an anatomy laboratory session (N = 223). Participants' learning experiences, emotional experiences, and satisfaction with the anatomy laboratory session were assessed by their responses to closed‐ended questionnaires. Participants' reasons for participation and suggestions for improvement were examined by open‐ended questions. A mixed methods analysis of the data revealed a high level of satisfaction with the anatomy laboratory experience. Positive attitudes and learning experiences correlated with a sense of identification with the nursing profession. Satisfaction was positively associated with a perceived quality of learning and negatively associated with a negative emotional experience. Curiosity and self‐challenge, as well as the quest for tangible, in‐depth learning, were major motivators involved in the students' desire to participate in the session. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses indicated that the educational experience was significant. Therefore, it is recommended to integrate anatomy laboratory sessions into anatomy courses for nursing students. This will help to illustrate and assimilate classroom material and strengthen nursing students' sense of identification with their profession.
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Human Anatomy and Histology & Embryology are fundamental courses in nursing education, providing essential knowledge for understanding human structure, physiological mechanisms, and clinical nursing practice.
“Human Anatomy and Histology & Embryology are fundamental courses in nursing education, providing essential knowledge for understanding human structure, physiological mechanisms, and clinical nursing practice [1].”
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“Human Anatomy and Histology & Embryology are fundamental courses in nursing education, providing essential knowledge for understanding human structure, physiological mechanisms, and clinical nursing practice [1].”
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- Authors
- Asman, O., Kagan, I., & Itzhaki, M.
- Affiliations
- Tel Aviv University (IL)
- Corresponding author
- Asman, Oren
- Venue
- Anatomical Sciences Education
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2021-12-02
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 898-909
- ISSN
- 1935-9772 (ISSN-L)
- 1935-9780
- OpenAlex
- W3160172807
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2
- FWCI
- 0.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Anatomical Sciences Education (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Anatomy and Medical Technology
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Undergraduate Neuroscience Education and Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Innovations in Medical Education
- Keywords
- nursing students, anatomy laboratory, cadaveric dissection, student perceptions, student satisfaction, emotional experience, learning experience, accelerated nursing programs, baccalaureate nursing education, professional identity, student motivation
- MeSH terms
- Anatomy, Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate, Humans, Laboratories, Learning, Surveys and Questionnaires, Students, Nursing
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