Authors

  1. Griggs, Kellie DNP, RNC-OB
  2. Arms, Tamatha DNP, PMHNP-BC, NP-C
  3. Turrise, Stephanie PhD, BC, APRN, CNE

Article Content

As clinical sites become more difficult to acquire for students in all health care disciplines, simulation and the use of realistic case studies are helping to bridge the gap and support the development of clinical reasoning and judgment. The Outcome-Present State Test (OPT) model has proven versatile and effective when incorporated in simulation, the classroom, and clinical settings, with individual and groups of students. To expand students' clinical reasoning skills, we trialed the use of the OPT model across the curriculum in simulation debriefing, complex classroom case studies, and clinical postconference. Students were instructed to work as a team to identify nursing diagnoses and pertinent assessment data from the patient's story and then use clinical reasoning to frame the case, make decisions about appropriate nursing actions, and then judge the outcomes based on testing. These activities supported teamwork, understanding of symptom management, and how to improve care on a holistic level. One student journal reflection noted, "I enjoyed the group collaboration and putting our heads together to figure out what was going on, to hear everyone's unique thought processes that led us to figuring out more about our patient." The use of the OPT model across the curriculum supports nursing students' self-regulated learning, reinforces clinical decision making, focuses on quality outcomes, and enhances students' judgment and clinical discernment.