Keywords

clinical hours, nursing students, replacing clinical practice with simulation, simulation, virtual simulation

Authors

1. Diaz, Desiree A. PhD, RN-BC, CNE, CHSE-A, ANEF
2. Anderson, Mindi PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CHSE-A, ANEF, FAAN
3. Hill, Peggy P. MSN, RN, CHSE
4. Quelly, Susan B. PhD, RN, CNE
5. Clark, Kristen MSN, RN
6. Lynn, Melissa MSN, RN, CMSRN, CHSE

Abstract

Background: Minimal evidence compares nursing student outcomes when replacing clinical hours with manikin-based high-fidelity patient simulation (HFPS) or virtual simulation.

Purpose: The study aims were to compare differences in outcomes: (1) between 2 intervention groups (HFPS or virtual simulation) when replacing 25% of pediatric/obstetrics clinical hours and (2) pass/fail for clinical practice between the intervention groups and a face-to-face clinical group (control).

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted to determine differences in knowledge between intervention groups participating in 6 pediatric/obstetrics simulation scenarios.

Results: No differences in composite knowledge were found between simulation groups (P = .319). There also was no difference in clinical practice pass/fail among the groups.

Conclusions: HFPS and virtual simulation were equally effective in achieving learning goals.