Opinions of online nursing students related to working in groups

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine nursing students’ perceptions regarding the usefulness of group work in online nursing programs, to identify challenges with online group work, and to determine which factors contribute to successful completion of online group assignments. Method: An online survey was used to obtain data for this qualitative descriptive study. The sample consisted of 217 nursing students in RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master’s of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Results: The majority of online nursing students preferred not to work on assignments in groups due to the challenges but realized the importance and value of doing so. Participants stated that the greatest challenges to effective group work included time management and unequal contributions of individual group members. Strategies that facilitated effective group work included identification of compatible group members, communication, establishment of clear expectations for time lines and organization, and oversight from the course instructors. Conclusion: Faculty need to implement strategies to result in positive learning experiences for online nursing students because working effectively in groups is a critical nursing skill.