Learning Objective #1: develop evidence-based simulation modules using expert clinical nurse focus group research to identify reality-based content for simulation modules.

Learning Objective #2: describe collaborative approaches among academic institutions to provide high fidelity simulation resources for nursing students.

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Restricted clinical space for learning experiences forces nursing programs to turn away qualified students. This problem is especially acute in clinical specialty areas with limited beds (e.g., critical care). In order to increase the capacity of nursing programs, three institutions of higher learning collaborated to develop high fidelity simulation modules to replace a portion of the hospital experience. The three academic institutions also collaborated to develop a central simulation lab for use by nursing students from all three programs. Through the central lab, students gain experience in clinical areas most restricting the capacity of the nursing programs: obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health and critical care. To insure that case scenarios depicted in the simulation modules reflected real world clinical experiences, focus groups were held with 45 expert clinical nurses from four regional hospitals partnering on the project. Expert nurses in obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health and critical care at each of the hospitals were asked to identify the top five client problems the nurses thought should be addressed in the simulation modules. Next the expert nurses were asked to identify patient characteristics, family situations, environmental factors (home and community), regional cultural factors, and treatment implications for four of the top five client problems. Analysis of focus group data resulted in the identification of 20 nursing concepts (e.g., respiratory distress, tissue perfusion, teen pregnancy, cognitive disorders) and 62 associated medical diagnoses. Following data analysis, member checking with the expert nurses was used to validate the results. Next evidence-based simulation modules were developed for the 20 concepts and related patient/family situations to exemplifying reality-based nursing practice. Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive about the use of evidence-based simulation modules to enhance their clinical knowledge and skills.