Anxiety in Nursing Students in a Southern California Simulation: A Descriptive Study

Nursing literature has reported episodes of nursing student anxiety in the simulated class. The students gave accounts of their experiences, difficulties learning, and performing nursing skills. The purpose of the qualitative descriptive study was to explore how nursing students describe the influence of anxiety on their skill performance and skill transfer in the simulation class in Southern California nursing programs. Jeffries simulation theory, a framework for the study, was designed for learning with technology. The cognitive interference theory explains the difficulties with anxiety in nursing students while learning new skills. The research questions for this study are as follows: RQ1: How do nursing students describe the influence of anxiety on their skill performance in the simulation class and RQ2: How do nursing students describe the influence of anxiety on skill transfer in the simulation class? The qualitative descriptive study used a purposeful sample of registered nursing students and vocational nursing students from Southern California nursing programs. There were four focus groups and ten individual interviews. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus groups, using open-ended questions. The process of thematic coding was the result of several descriptive accounts, as students described their experiences in the simulation. There were five themes from the data: satisfaction with learning, no orientation, lack of understanding, COVID-19 caused cancellations, and anxiety. The results showed that numerous students enjoyed simulation and learned new skills. The data also revealed several were anxious and had difficulty thinking and performing. Further data displayed the experience is modifiable and consideration is needed to enhance the educational experience of the ESL nursing students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]