Title : Enhancing nursing concept knowledge and self-confidence through mini simulations
Abstract:
Introduction & Purpose: Simulations help students develop their knowledge skills and attitudes in a safe environment and improve their self-confidence. Simulation also fosters collaboration, critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. The purpose of this project was to identify if nursing students had a better understanding of concepts learned in the classroom by participating in mini simulations during lab. Currently, Level 2 nursing students participate in one high fidelity simulation activity as part of their health assessment course. Mini simulations were added to students’ weekly lab activities to have more time to refine their skills and promote self-confidence. Students prepared themselves ahead of time by viewing the virtual simulation associated to the concept they learned in the classroom. Lab instructors facilitated the mini simulations by following the virtual simulation outline and held a debriefing session after the students participated in the simulation. Lab instructors had the opportunity to assess the students’ ability, and the students had the opportunity to discuss and reflect on their feelings, knowledge and ability to perform the nursing skills.
Methods: Students completed an anonymous survey in their learning management program during the spring and summer semesters of 2024. The students were asked if the simulated activity in lab was helpful in understanding the nursing concepts and if they felt more confident with performing nursing skills after the simulations.
Results: A total of 88 students completed the survey. 80% of the students responded that the simulated activities in lab helped them to understand the concept and be more confident with their skills.
Discussion: The majority of the students surveyed reported the in-lab simulation helped them understand the concept and felt more confident with their skills.
Conclusion: Simulations help merge knowledge into practice and allow the students to develop critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Practicing nursing skills in a safe environment allows the students to learn from their mistakes and continued practice improves their performance. Nursing schools are moving towards a competency-based education model and simulation-based activities are useful to assess competence. Adding more simulation-based activities in the curriculum will foster critical thinking skills, confidence and competence as nursing students prepare into real life clinical settings and help nursing schools in moving towards a competency-based education model.
