[I don't know whether I'm coming or going-Challenges of part-time students during the COVID-19 pandemic].

Abstract

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities had to switch to online teaching as quickly as possible. Part-time students who work in the healthcare sector have to manage the balancing act between an invariably online education and a mandatory physical attendance in a profession that maintains the system.

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the challenges faced by part-time students working in the healthcare sector, to identify the need for change and to derive recommendations for action for the university.

Methods: The data were collected using an open response online questionnaire. The obtained data were evaluated according to the qualitative content analysis of Mayring.

Results: Probably the greatest challenges that part-time students have to deal with, are the self-organized learning or the (on time) accomplishment of work assignments, which are often perceived as too extensive, and the independent development of teaching content. Furthermore, part-time students reported about the difficultness to reconcile e‑learning and work and/or family.

Conclusion: These perceived challenges are not new but since additional family commitments and uncertainty of daily work routine are added, these challenges are gaining in importance during COVID-19. Therefore, learning environments, which are currently offered to part-time students, must be understood as caring spaces. In addition to new didactic concepts, universities should invest in the promotion of students' personal and social competencies.