Outcomes of clinical simulation for novice nursing students: communication, confidence, clinical judgment

Nurs Educ Perspect. 2009 Mar-Apr;30(2):79-82.

Abstract

The use of clinical simulation in nursing education provides many opportunities for students to learn and apply theoretical principles of nursing care in a safe environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate simulated clinical experiences as a teaching/learning method to increase the self-efficacy of nursing students during their initial clinical course in a prelicensure program. An integrated, quasi-experimental, repeated measures design was used. A sample of 112 students completed surveys, indicating their confidence in various skills necessary for postpartum and newborn nursing, both before and after the simulation experience. Results indicated that students experienced a significant increase in overall self-efficacy (p < .01). Students also experienced an increase in confidence in assessing vital signs (p < .01), breasts (p < .01), the fundus (p < .001), and lochia (p < .001), and in providing patient education (p < .001). Three themes that emerged in the qualitative results were communication, confidence, and clinical judgment.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Communication
  • Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate*
  • Humans
  • Judgment
  • Manikins*
  • Midwestern United States
  • Obstetrics / education*
  • Postnatal Care
  • Program Evaluation
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Students, Nursing / psychology
  • Teaching / methods*