Nursing Students' Perceptions of their Educational Environment Based on DREEM Model in an Iranian University

Background: The learning climate has been found to be significant in determining students' academic achievement and learning. The purpose of this study was to measure the viewpoints of nursing students toward their learning environment at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (RUMS). Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 202 nursing students using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM). The items, as well as scale scores were compared among nursing students. Also, data was analysed by SPSS19 using t test and ANOVA. Results: The total mean DREEM score was 114.3 (SD 20.6) out of 200 (corresponding to 57.15% of the maximum score), which was considered as more positive than negative. The subscale with the highest mean score was Students' Perceptions of learning. Mean score of this subscale was 27.3/48 0 (SD 5.9) corresponding to 56.87% of the maximum score. The lowest mean score was for the Academic Self-perceptions 20.31/32 (SD 4.51) (53.44%), The total DREEM score for female students was significantly higher than for males (P = 0.01). The total scores of new entry students were significantly higher than the others (P = 0.01). Conclusion: The school's educational climate was generally perceived positively by students, but specific areas identified by students as needing improvement. It is essential for managers to make a greater effort to create an appropriate educational environment in order to provide and maintain high quality learning environments for students.