ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of using serial simulations with progression through the nursing curriculum. BACKGROUND: Simulation provides a way to learn without fear of failure and increase critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills. Learning in an interdisciplinary simulation provides a greater understanding of teamwork and communication skills. METHOD: The NLN/Jeffries Simulation Framework was used in an interactive disaster drill with role-playing patient actors and manikins. In a debriefing session, nursing and radiology students co-presented scenarios. RESULTS: Students displayed critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills. They reported an increase in self-confidence in caring for patients during a disaster, an increase in empathy, and learning by observing others. CONCLUSION: This pilot study revealed that an interdisciplinary disaster drill simulation experience was a positive learning experience for both nursing and radiology students.
Subject(s)
Clinical Competence , Curriculum , Disaster Medicine/education , Education, Nursing/organization & administration , Manikins , Patient Simulation , Decision Making , Empathy , Humans , Interdisciplinary Studies , Nursing Education Research , Pilot Projects , Problem-Based Learning/methods , Students, Medical , Students, NursingABSTRACT
The 3-calendar-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum program was developed to facilitate a quicker entry into professional nursing practice. This program offered many advantages, including financial and time-saving benefits for students, more efficient use of campus facilities, and flexibility in faculty scheduling. Evaluation of the program showed benefits in the success rate of course-work, in retention and graduation rates, and in subsequent NCLEX-RN pass rates. The NCLEX-RN pass rate for students in the 3-calendar-year BSN program was 98.33%, compared with the national average pass rate (88.01%) for the same 5-year period for first-time test takers. The 3-calendar-year BSN program met the needs of both traditional and nontraditional students. It produced quality nurse graduates who were successful NCLEX-RN first-time test takers. The program has potential to be adopted by other universities with a student base composed of individuals of modest resources and diverse backgrounds.
