A Unique Simulation Teaching Method

Abstract

Simulation is an excellent venue for students to learn experientially and provides opportunities for students to practice problem solving and psychomotor skills in a safe, controlled environment. Through the use of a specifically designed format, faculty at Creighton University School of Nursing have developed a unique method of implementing high-fidelity simulation that allows a more comprehensive learning experience. This innovative teaching strategy incorporates not just skill acquisition, but also care management concepts into the scenario, while requiring only one faculty member. Students simultaneously take one of two paths through the components of this method to achieve the same learning outcomes.

Validating the Use of High-Fidelity Simulation as a Clinical Adjunct in Undergraduate Nursing Education

“…They frequently verbalized appreciation for the opportunity to develop skills and make mistakes while learning to care for simulated labor, postpartum and newborn patients prior to attending hospital clinical. Neither educators nor students are endorsing the replacement of clinical patient care with simulation but the combination of the two should potentiate the learning effect [1][2][3]10].…”

“…Students not involved in simulation activities were positioned in the observation/control room and charged with finding both positive and negative actions which occurred during the simulation. Then the two groups would switch positions keeping with the simulation pathways idea of continuous activity and learning activities [2]. Initially students were going to utilize a computerized charting system for the documentation portion of the simulations.…”

“…Nurse educators and educational programs are seeking alternative clinical experiences to supplement the standard clinical experience now being utilized [1]. High fidelity simulation offers a safe alternative to allow students to expand their knowledge and abilities without putting patients or students at risk [2]. While simulation has been used in specific and limited situations for educational experiences among other health care professionals, high fidelity simulations are not being used, to the fullest extent possible, to expand clinical learning opportunities for nursing students at TSU (Tarleton State University).…”

“…These experiences are not client dependent, which can facilitate wider breadth of experience for all students. Researchers have identified high-fidelity simulation as an alternative clinical experience to enhance student development while in a safe atmosphere for both the student and patient [1,2]. High-fidelity simulation allows students to obtain physical input, environmental responses and patient management experience in situations that are usually observational experiences in traditional hospital clinical rotations [4].…”

Students’ evaluation of a computerized patient simulator in nursing education and its effect on the results of preclinical tests

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The use of simulation manikins is recognized as being a safe training method for students. [11] According to Harder, [12] high-fidelity simulation increases students' practical skills.…”