Blending interprofessional education and simulation learning: A mixed-methods study of an interprofessional learning experience with nursing and occupational therapy students.

In aiming to train health professional students to collaborate in patient care settings, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the perception of registered nurse (RN) students and occupational therapy (OT) students jointly participating in an interprofessional education (IPE) patient simulation learning experience. Eighty-five RN and OT students engaged in a 3-hour IPE patient simulation in an acute care hospital setting. Each student participant completed a pre- and post-test data collection, assessing interprofessional socialization using the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS) Version 9A and provided qualitative feedback about their experience. Findings indicated a significant change in interprofessional socialization for RN and OT students after engaging in the IPE patient simulation learning experience. Furthermore, qualitative findings described the perceived benefits of IPE and collaboration, simulation as a learning tool, and areas for enhancing IPE patient simulation education for the future. Study findings have implications for using simulated IPE experiences with health professional students to foster interprofessional collaboration and socialization with the goal of delivering person-centered quality healthcare.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of ATI Nurse's Touch™ on BSN Student Soft Skills: A Descriptive Study.

Students in health care today are very different than those of past generations. Health care education requires both innovation and creativity to meet the changing needs of students. Soft skills such as leadership, communication, nursing informatics, technology, and professionalism can sometimes be lost in pursuit of scientific knowledge. The purpose of this descriptive pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a product designed to assist in the development of soft skills in a bachelor of science in nursing curriculum. This research did not support the additive value of this particular product but recommended further research at other curricular levels.