The effect of peer learning on professional competence development among Indonesian undergraduate nursing students: A quasi-experimental study

Background: Peer learning has enabled undergraduate nursing students to develop competence and clinical skills. It is rare to find quantitative studies examining the effect of peer learning on professional competence development among undergraduate nursing students comprehensively. Objective: To examine the effect of peer learning on professional competence development among Indonesian undergraduate nursing students. Design: A quasi-experimental study with non-equivalent control group pre-test post-test design. Participants: Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. Seventy-five students completed the study (37 in the intervention group and 38 in the control group). Methods: The intervention group received the peer learning program, while the control group received conventional learning during clinical practice. The Nurse Professional Competence (NPC) was used to collect data at pre-test and post-test measurement. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Professional competence had significantly increased in the intervention group. A significant interaction effect of time (pre-test and post-test) and group on professional competence development was also found. The effect of peer learning on professional competence development was significantly greater than the conventional method. Conclusion: Peer learning was demonstrated as an innovative learning method to develop professional competence during clinical practice among Indonesian undergraduate nursing students. It is recommended for nurse educators to consider implementing peer learning during clinical education.