CHALLENGES AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN UNDERGRADUATE NURSING EDUCATION

Abstract

The pandemic has brought numerous challenges for the continuity of the teaching of undergraduate health
courses that perform clinical education in health services, which, because of the high risk of transmission of
the virus and scarcity of personal protective equipment, restricted the access of students and teachers. The
aim of this article was to describe the experience experienced in conducting nursing education in the face of
the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Electronic teaching materials were prioritized. Teachers and
students had to learn how to deal with new digital tools and platforms for synchronous and asynchronous
classes. The practical classes of the basic cycle were offered remotely. Teaching activities in hospitals were
possible exclusively for students of the last year, being those of the intermediate periods partially offered in the
remote format, and postponed part for a safe moment. The pandemic caused abrupt changes and the increase
of many new knowledge, reinforcing the importance of developing skills such as adaptability, cooperation, and
creativity in students to deal with complex situations. Evaluation studies on the experience of remote education are recommended, and efforts will be needed to repair losses as much as possible. It is believed that the
experience will also leave innovations, such as hybrid teaching and advances in the use of realistic simulation,
as well as a greater appreciation of the Unified Health System and Nursing.