Abstract
BACKGROUND
The incorporation of simulated practice learning (SPL) into the nursing curriculum is endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) [1] and Council of Deans [2].
Our undergraduate nursing programmes were approved to deliver up to 600 hours of SPL in March 2024.
We conducted a pilot SPL week using high-fidelity and virtual reality (VR) simulation in June 2024 with 9 first-year adult nursing students.
RESEARCH QUESTION
What is the efficacy of an SPL experience in achieving nursing proficiencies for first-year adult nursing students from both a student and educator's perspective?
METHODS
Ethics approval was granted in April 2024 by our institution’s Health Research Ethics sub-committee. A mixed-methods approach with convenience sampling was used.
Quantitative data collected using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool – Modified (SET-M) assessed students' self-reported knowledge, skills, and confidence, while Oxford Medical Simulation (OMS) VR metrics evaluated achievement of learning outcomes and nursing proficiencies.
Qualitative data collected via student questionnaires and educator focus groups explored the perceived effectiveness of the SPL week in achieving nursing proficiencies.
Scan the QR code for an overview of the content of the pilot SPL week.
FINDINGS
(Adult nursing students)
Consistently rated improvements in knowledge, skills, and confidence as “Strongly Agree” and briefing / debriefing as highly effective on SET-M.
This was also reflected in qualitative feedback from adult nursing students:
“100 percent think if this type of training was available to me before I went on my first placement, I wouldn’t have had such a traumatic experience which almost made me want to quit the course.“
“I’ve been a student nurse for months and months and there is stuff this week I’m only just learning about because in reality you don’t get all the time with nurses or get to see every situation available in placement.”
“It’s also very reassuring to know that we’re able to get on with it and there’s guidance right next to us if we need it, whereas on the wards it can be quite challenging if you feel unsure as you want to make sure you’re getting it right first time.”
“It would be amazing if this could be implemented into the course structure before actually starting placement as the confidence you get from this is great!”
“Definitely have new skills and confidence to go forward in my studies now.”
And performance metrics from OMS, performance scores increased on repetition of VR healthcare scenarios by 28%.
(Nurse educators)
Key emerging themes from focus groups (preliminary findings)
Advantages
-Preparation for Practice
-Achievement of Nursing Proficiencies
- Inclusivity in Learning
-Rich Learning Environment
-Structure and Realism
Disadvantages
-Inability to Fully Replace Clinical Practice
-Sustainability and Resources
DISCUSSION
The SPL week enhanced students' perceived knowledge, skills, and confidence, offering a rich learning experience through simulation (e.g., briefing, debriefing, and supervision).
Nurse educators valued its role in preparing students for practice but raised concerns about its ability to fully replace clinical practice and its sustainability due to resource limitations.
These findings align with the recent NMC report [4] which also highlights SPL's importance in nursing education but stresses the need for additional funding to ensure its continuation.
CONCLUSION
The SPL pilot week enhanced students' knowledge, skills, and confidence, and was valued by both students and educators.
Addressing resource challenges is crucial for sustainability.
Expanding SPL delivery before placements could further improve students' readiness for clinical settings.
References: [1] Nursing and Midwifery Council (2024). Simulated Practice Learning. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/4eYcpOT; [2] Council of Deans of Health (2024). Simulation in Nursing Education: An Evidence Base for the Future. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/4eG8YwB; [3] Oxford Medical Simulation (2024). Oxford Medical Simulation Platform. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3Y3ev9d; [4] Nursing and Midwifery Council (2024). Simulated practice learning in preregistration nursing programmes an evaluation of the experience of universities approved to deliver up to 600 practice learning hours through simulation. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3Y37Ega.
The incorporation of simulated practice learning (SPL) into the nursing curriculum is endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) [1] and Council of Deans [2].
Our undergraduate nursing programmes were approved to deliver up to 600 hours of SPL in March 2024.
We conducted a pilot SPL week using high-fidelity and virtual reality (VR) simulation in June 2024 with 9 first-year adult nursing students.
RESEARCH QUESTION
What is the efficacy of an SPL experience in achieving nursing proficiencies for first-year adult nursing students from both a student and educator's perspective?
METHODS
Ethics approval was granted in April 2024 by our institution’s Health Research Ethics sub-committee. A mixed-methods approach with convenience sampling was used.
Quantitative data collected using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool – Modified (SET-M) assessed students' self-reported knowledge, skills, and confidence, while Oxford Medical Simulation (OMS) VR metrics evaluated achievement of learning outcomes and nursing proficiencies.
Qualitative data collected via student questionnaires and educator focus groups explored the perceived effectiveness of the SPL week in achieving nursing proficiencies.
Scan the QR code for an overview of the content of the pilot SPL week.
FINDINGS
(Adult nursing students)
Consistently rated improvements in knowledge, skills, and confidence as “Strongly Agree” and briefing / debriefing as highly effective on SET-M.
This was also reflected in qualitative feedback from adult nursing students:
“100 percent think if this type of training was available to me before I went on my first placement, I wouldn’t have had such a traumatic experience which almost made me want to quit the course.“
“I’ve been a student nurse for months and months and there is stuff this week I’m only just learning about because in reality you don’t get all the time with nurses or get to see every situation available in placement.”
“It’s also very reassuring to know that we’re able to get on with it and there’s guidance right next to us if we need it, whereas on the wards it can be quite challenging if you feel unsure as you want to make sure you’re getting it right first time.”
“It would be amazing if this could be implemented into the course structure before actually starting placement as the confidence you get from this is great!”
“Definitely have new skills and confidence to go forward in my studies now.”
And performance metrics from OMS, performance scores increased on repetition of VR healthcare scenarios by 28%.
(Nurse educators)
Key emerging themes from focus groups (preliminary findings)
Advantages
-Preparation for Practice
-Achievement of Nursing Proficiencies
- Inclusivity in Learning
-Rich Learning Environment
-Structure and Realism
Disadvantages
-Inability to Fully Replace Clinical Practice
-Sustainability and Resources
DISCUSSION
The SPL week enhanced students' perceived knowledge, skills, and confidence, offering a rich learning experience through simulation (e.g., briefing, debriefing, and supervision).
Nurse educators valued its role in preparing students for practice but raised concerns about its ability to fully replace clinical practice and its sustainability due to resource limitations.
These findings align with the recent NMC report [4] which also highlights SPL's importance in nursing education but stresses the need for additional funding to ensure its continuation.
CONCLUSION
The SPL pilot week enhanced students' knowledge, skills, and confidence, and was valued by both students and educators.
Addressing resource challenges is crucial for sustainability.
Expanding SPL delivery before placements could further improve students' readiness for clinical settings.
References: [1] Nursing and Midwifery Council (2024). Simulated Practice Learning. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/4eYcpOT; [2] Council of Deans of Health (2024). Simulation in Nursing Education: An Evidence Base for the Future. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/4eG8YwB; [3] Oxford Medical Simulation (2024). Oxford Medical Simulation Platform. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3Y3ev9d; [4] Nursing and Midwifery Council (2024). Simulated practice learning in preregistration nursing programmes an evaluation of the experience of universities approved to deliver up to 600 practice learning hours through simulation. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3Y37Ega.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Nov 2024 |
| Event | Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare Conference 2024 - United Kingdom, Edinburgh Duration: 3 Nov 2024 → 5 Nov 2024 https://aspih.org.uk/ |
Conference
| Conference | Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare Conference 2024 |
|---|---|
| City | Edinburgh |
| Period | 3/11/24 → 5/11/24 |
| Internet address |