Objectives: To determine the effect of simulation-oriented skills training on first clinical day stress and anxiety levels in nursing students.
Methods: The quasi-experimental study was conducted from April to June, 2016, in Istanbul, Turkey, and comprised first year nursing students who were divided into two groups. In Group 1, students measured vital signs on simulated patients before their first clinical practice. In Group 2, the students performed this application on each other. Then, on the first day of their clinical practice, the students evaluated the vital signs and then filled out Clinical Stress Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data was analysed using Number Cruncher Statistical System version 2007.
Results: Of the 41 subjects, 16(39%) were in Group 1 with a mean age of 19.31±3.2 years, and 25(61%) were in Group 2 with a mean age of 18.92±0.86 years (p>0.05). There was no significant differences in state-trait anxiety inventory and clinical stress questionnaire scores between the groups (p>0.05). There was a significant difference with respect to benefit subscale of the clinical stress questioaanire (p=0.049).
Conclusions: The use of simulation in nursing education provided relief and confidence during clinical practice.
Keywords: Anxiety, Clinical practice, Nursing student, Simulation, Stress..