Application of mind map in standardized training courses for the new nurses

Objective To evaluate application effects of mind map in standardized training courses for the new nurses. Method 73 new nurses who graduated for 1-3 years were random divided into an experimental group (n=37) and a control group (n=36). Nursing department organized standardized training course for 73 new nurses for one year. The control group used conventional teaching methods, while the experimental group introduced mind mapping in teaching. Effects were evaluated after one year. Results The average scores of both theory and operation examination in experimental group were better than the control group, and there was significant difference between two groups (P=0.002, 0.000). The score of critical thinking ability: the total score of experimental group was (303.89±23.81), higher than the total score of the control group (280.36±17.22), and the total score and seven dimension score difference had statistical significance (P＜0.05, for all). Besides, the total score of selfstudy ability in the experimental group (126.54±5.65), was higher than those in the control group (116.58±6.36), and the total score and four dimension score difference had statistical significance (P＜0.05) Conclusion Using mind mapping in the standardized training courses for nurses can arouse nurses' interest in learning, improve their critical thinking skills and autonomous self-study ability, and enhance the effectiveness of training. Key words: Mind map; New graduate nurse; Standardized training; Critical thinking; Self-direct learning