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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to recognize the advantages of integration of simulation into the nursing studies' curriculum.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to perform the study in order to measure the effectiveness of simulation in nursing education
Preparing students for professional performance in the "real world" is the main trust of the nursing education. Appropriate instructional methods are required in order to alleviate anxiety and uncertainty of the novice nursing students during their transition from theory to practice. Integrating simulation into the curriculum may strengthen knowledge, integrate between learned subjects, develop motor skills and improve students' self-efficacy and self-confidence. Yet, only a handful of studies measured the effectiveness of this method. The purpose of the present study is examination the effect of integrating simulations into nursing curriculum.
Methods:
The present study is a prospective and comparative with a convenience sample of 42 nursing students during their first clinical rotation in a medical centre in Israel. For 18 of them simulation was integrated into the curriculum, while for the others it wasn`t. Both the groups were comparable in regard to age, gender and ethnicity. The study was based upon observations on the second and on the last week of the first clinical rotation on students' performance of basic nursing activities. Each observation was scored by checklists that were developed and validated by the researchers. The situational anxiety level was measured by Spielberg questionnaire. Students' professional satisfaction was measured by a questionnaire designed by the researchers.
Results:
The results indicate significantly higher performance levels of simulation group. Multiple regression analysis proved that simulation is the only predictive variable of performance while age, gender, ethnicity and psychometric test grades are not. Levels of job satisfaction and choosing nursing as a career are significantly higher amongst simulation group. No difference in the situational anxiety was detected between the groups.
Conclusion:
Simulation is an effective preparation of nursing students for clinical rotations. It is suggested to repeat this study within a larger population and for a longer period of time.
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