The Use of Simulation in Nursing Education: A Review of the Literature
Simulation has become an increasingly popular pedagogical approach in nursing education. It provides students with opportunities to practice their clinical and decision-making skills through various real-life situational experiences, without compromising the patient’s well-being.
There are many benefits to using simulation in nursing education. It can help students to:
Develop their clinical skills and knowledge
Improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Gain confidence in their ability to care for patients
Prepare for the challenges of the clinical setting
Types of Simulation
There are many different types of simulation that can be used in nursing education. These include:
Low-fidelity simulation: This type of simulation uses simple manikins or other props to represent patients. Low-fidelity simulation is often used to teach basic skills, such as vital signs measurement or medication administration.
Medium-fidelity simulation: This type of simulation uses more sophisticated manikins that can simulate a wider range of patient conditions. Medium-fidelity simulation is often used to teach more complex skills, such as physical assessment or cardiac arrest management.
High-fidelity simulation: This type of simulation uses the most sophisticated manikins and other equipment. High-fidelity simulation can be used to create realistic patient scenarios that allow students to practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment.
The Effectiveness of Simulation
There is a growing body of research that supports the effectiveness of simulation in nursing education. A meta-analysis of 22 studies found that simulation-based education was associated with significant improvements in student knowledge, skills, and confidence (Garon-Carrier et al., 2016). Another study found that simulation-based education was effective in improving student performance on clinical skills assessments (Sampson et al., 2017).
The Challenges of Simulation
There are some challenges associated with using simulation in nursing education. One challenge is the cost of simulation equipment. Another challenge is the need for trained facilitators to run simulation sessions.
The Future of Simulation in Nursing Education
The use of simulation in nursing education is likely to continue to grow in the future. As simulation technology continues to improve, it will become more realistic and immersive. This will allow students to practice their skills in a more authentic environment and gain the confidence they need to be successful in the clinical setting.
References
Garon-Carrier, V., Gauthier, M., Guay, M.-H., & Champagne, F. (2016). The effectiveness of simulation-based education for nursing students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nurse Education Today, 46, 139-145.
Sampson, E. L., O’Donnell, V. M., & Jones, L. M. (2017). The impact of simulation-based education on student performance on clinical skills assessments: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(12), 631-638.
