How Does Simulation Impact Building Competency and Confidence in Recognition and Response to the Adult and Paediatric Deteriorating Patient Among Undergraduate Nursing Students?

Background The ability to recognize and respond to a deteriorating adult or paediatric patient is critical to prevention of poor patient outcomes. Simulation is one teaching/learning strategy that can prepare nursing students as they plan to transition to practice. Recognition and response to haemodynamic instability, respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, a massive haemorrhage, or a paediatric seizure has the potential to save patient lives. Method In this quasi-experimental pre/post study, participants were randomly assigned to a treatment or a control group (N = 59). The treatment group received a 16-hour simulation intervention held over two days that were two weeks apart. In addition, the treatment group completed two virtual simulations (one adult and one paediatric case). Results A new measure, Clinical Self-efficacy, was piloted in this study and showed a high internal consistency (0.91). Significant improvement in all items on the Clinical Self-efficacy tool was seen in the treatment group after the intervention. On the contrary, there was no significant improvement in any of the Clinical Self-efficacy items in the control group. Conclusion(s) The hybrid simulation intervention proved effective in improving confidence and competence in the recognition and response to deteriorating patients. Further multisite research is needed to further explore the significance of the simulation intervention.