Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Students’ Perceptions of the Educational Environment: A Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyedeh Esmat Hosseini 1
Rasool Mohammad Shaker 2
Malihe Nasiri 3
Mitra Zandi 2

1 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Basic Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.34172/jkmu.4189
Abstract
Background: The Educational Environment (EE) is crucial in supporting the development of nursing students and improving their skills, precision, independence, intellectual confidence, and self-assurance. This study aimed to assess and compare nursing students› perceptions of the educational environment at both undergraduate (bachelor›s, BA) and graduate (master›s, MSc) levels.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 200 nursing students, who were selected using convenience sampling. The data were collected through a demographic questionnaire and the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM).
Results: 103 undergraduate and 97 graduate nursing students participated in the study. The total scores for the perception of the EE in BA and MSc nursing students were 109.67 and 122.12, respectively (P = 0.001). The average scores reflecting students’ perceptions of learning and social conditions in education are higher among MSc students over 30 years old. Additionally, at the BA level, female students exhibit the highest average score in their perception of learning compared to other dimensions, and this difference is statistically significant.
Conclusion: Focusing on enhancing students’ overall well-being by highlighting their strengths and prioritizing extracurricular and life skills courses can be viewed as a key aspect of improving educational quality. Organizing workshops on life skills and extracurricular activities—particularly those that teach crisis management and stress reduction can foster positive experiences for learners within academic environments, enabling students to learn calmly and securely.

Highlights

Mitra Zandi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

Education
Environment
Nursing
Graduate
Undergraduate
Subjects
  1. Vasli P, Asadiparvar-Masouleh HJJoTUMS. Self-directed learning and clinical competence: The mediating role of the clinical learning environment. 2024;19(2):221-32. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2023.11.004
  2. Kassab SE, Rathan R, Taylor DC, Hamdy HJBme. The impact of the educational environment on student engagement and academic performance in health professions education. 2024;24(1):1278. DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-06270-9
  3. Mukherjee PJVfC. INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: DEVELOPING CONCEPTS AND NECESSITY IN SCHOOL CURRICULUM. 2025:237. DOI: 10.25215/1300495081.26
  4. Roff SJMT. Education environment: a bibliography. 2005;27(4):353-7. DOI: 10.1080/01421590500151039
  5. Roff S, McAleer S, Skinner AJMt. Development and validation of an instrument to measure the postgraduate clinical learning and teaching educational environment for hospital-based junior doctors in the UK. 2005;27(4):326-31. DOI: 10.1080/01421590500150874
  6. Bakhshialiabad H, Bakhshi M, Hassanshahi GJAime, practice. Students’ perceptions of the academic learning environment in seven medical sciences courses based on DREEM. 2015:195-203. DOI: 10.2147/AMEP.S60570
  7. Alshehri A, Abdulhaleem E, Khan AJCE. Correlating English language proficiency levels and perceptions of educational experience among Saudi EFL learners in preparatory year programs using Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM). 2024;11(1):2439163. DOI: 10.1080/2331186X.2024.2439163
  8. Zawawi AH, Elzubeir MJMt. Using DREEM to compare graduating students′ perceptions of learning environments at medical schools adopting contrasting educational strategies. 2012;34(sup1):S25-S31. DOI: 10.3109/0142159X.2012.656747
  9. WFME AJCUoC, MEDLINE Quality Assurance Task Force. WFME Global Standards for Quality improvement in Medical Education European Specifications. 2007.
  10. Mpungose CBJH, communications ss. Emergent transition from face-to-face to online learning in a South African University in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic. 2020;7(1):1-9. DOI: 10.1057/s41599-020-00603-x
  11. Aryuwat P, Holmgren J, Asp M, Radabutr M, Lövenmark AJNR. Experiences of nursing students regarding challenges and Support for Resilience during Clinical Education: a qualitative study. 2024;14(3):1604-20. DOI: 10.3390/nursrep14030120
  12. Brasaite I, Kaunonen M, Martinkėnas A, Mockienė V, Suominen T. Health care professionals’ knowledge and attitudes regarding patient safety and skills for safe patient care. Tampere: University of Tampere. 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.medici.2016.05.004
  13. Zenani NE, Sehularo LA, Gause G, Chukwuere PCJBn. The contribution of interprofessional education in developing competent undergraduate nursing students: integrative literature review. 2023;22(1):315. DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01482-8
  14. Fairhurst N, Koul R, Sheffield RJLer. Students’ perceptions of their STEM learning environment. 2023;26(3):977-98. DOI: 10.1007/s10984-023-09463-z
  15. Khatiban M, Pazargadi M, Ashktorab TJSiDoME. Comparative study of the performance appraisal systems for academic members performance appraisal systems in the various universities in around the world according to the diagnostic model: a qualitative research. 2014;11(1):23-34.
  16. Muller FH, Louw JJSAjop. Learning environment, motivation and interest: Perspectives on self-determination theory. 2004;34(2):169-90. DOI: 10.1177/008124630403400201
  17. Bates AJVBTBAL. Teaching in a Digital Age: Guidelines for Designing Teaching and Learning. 2015.
  18. Tuychiyevna RLJEJOMM, PRACTICE. Development of Creative Thinking of Students in an Innovative Educational Environment. 2024;4(3):22-5. DOI: 10.3390/educsci14020192
  19. Roff SJMt. The Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM)—a generic instrument for measuring students’ perceptions of undergraduate health professions curricula. 2005;27(4):322-5. DOI: 10.1080/01421590500151054
  20. Fallah kheiri Langroudi S, Badsar A, Hosseini Z, Rouhi M. Validation of the Persian version of the Dundee Ready Educational Environment measure (DREEM). Research in Medical Education. 2012;4(2):24-33. DOI: 10.18869/acadpub.rme.4.2.24
  21. Wójcik D, Szalewski L, Bęben A, Ordyniec-Kwaśnica I, Roff S. Validation of the Polish version of the DREEM questionnaire–a confirmatory factor analysis. BMC Medical Education. 2023;23(1):573. DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-04539-z
  22. Algotar GN, Chauhan VN, Mehta SJ, Algotar G, Chauhan V, Mehta S. Evaluating the Perception of Undergraduate Medical Students About the Educational Environment by Using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) Questionnaire. Cureus. 2024;16(3). DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57245
  23. Mohseni R, Sandoughdar N, Bradaran H, Kouhpayezadeh JJESiMS. Educational environment of Rasoul-e-Akram hospital; viewpoints of speech-therapy learners. 2016;8(6):43-8.
  24. Jafari Z, Moshtaghi S, Zarea K. Investigating the Relationship between Nursing Students' Perception of the Instructional Environment on the Level of Their Academic Engagement at the Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in 2018-19. Journal of Medical Education Development. 2021;13(39):64-72. DOI: 10.29252/edcj.13.39.69
  25. Daryazadeh S, Yavari M, Sharif MR, Azadchahr MJ, Akbari HJHoMED. Evaluation of clinical environment from the perspective of medical learners of Kashan University of Medical Sciences based on DREEM model in 2018. 2020;11(3):44-33.
  26. Farooq S, Rehman R, Dias JM, Hussain MJJTJotPMA. Perceptions of nursing students of educational environment at a private undergraduate School of Nursing in Karachi. 2018;68(2):216. PMID: 29479096
  27. Bascia N. School Context Model: How School Environments Shape Students' Opportunities to Learn: Measuring What Matters, People for Education; 2014.
Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume 32
Pages 1-6

Home

Editorial Board

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Guide for Reviewers

Contact Us