Modeling the Way: Preparing Novices for Simulation with a DVD Preview of Expert Behaviours

Kelly, Michelle A.

Tuesday, 31 July 2012: 10:45 AM

Michelle A. Kelly, RN, BSc, MN
Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), Sydney, Australia

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to determine areas in their own programs where modelling practice via DVD would benefit novices as preparation for simulation encounters.

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to outline the strategies for developing and producing audiovisual material to demonstrate professional practice to novice students and nurses.

Incorporating simulation within healthcare programs is growing at a rapid rate. This learning approach is more engaging for participants than traditional methods and can ensure exposure to a range of clinical scenarios (Cant & Cooper 2010). In line with patient safety initiatives, rehearsing team-based simulation scenarios highlights the importance of accurate patient assessment, timely escalation of concerning clinical parameters and the importance of effective communication. Even for experienced nurses, improving performance around these essential skills can be challenging, and more so for novices.

Novice students and nurses are still developing insights into the registered nurse role. Novices often seek examples of professional practice by observing experienced nurses in the clinical setting or from discussions with academics about patient care(Kelly & Ahern 2009). This informal learning strategy can also be used to prepare participants for simulation encounters.

An innovative strategy to align preparation for simulation and modelling of professional practice will be discussed. The strategy has multiple benefits for staff and students. For staff, rehearsing the simulation provides opportunity to validate learning objectives, confirm timings, roles and anticipated responses; and gain insight into the student’s likely experience. Filming the rehearsal allows staff to review their performances and to create a DVD of expected responses during the simulation encounter.

Benefits for students include: gaining insight into what is expected during the simulation; choosing a particular role they could manage within the scenario; and gathering a repertoire of phrases or responses. Excerpts from developed DVDs will be featured in the presentation.

Cant, R.P. & Cooper, S.J. 2010, 'Simulation-based learning in nurse education: Systematic review', Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol. 66, no. 1, pp. 3-15.

Kelly, J. & Ahern, K. 2009, 'Preparing nurses for practice: A phenomenological study of the new graduate in Australia', Journal of Clinical Nursing, vol. 18, no. 6, pp. 910-8.

See more of: Educational Strategies: Learning through Simulation
See more of: Evidence-Based Practice Sessions: Oral Paper & Posters