The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
Vol. 40 No. 10 October 2009
By Robbie R. Stefanski, RN, MSN; Kelly L. Rossler, RN, MSN
ABSTRACT
This article describes how exploring the need for a continuing education course for the critical care nursing community turned into the development of the Preparing the Critical Care Nurse program. The course offered an opportunity for collaboration between area hospitals and a college of nursing by facilitating the transition of undergraduate nurses to the critical care setting using high-fidelity simulation. Course development, implementation, evaluation, and suggestions for similar courses in the future are presented. Goals of the simulation component of the course were evaluated and addressed the participants’ self-confidence and satisfaction with learning through simulation. A 6-month postevaluation provided insight into the participants’ impressions of simulation as a learning tool as they currently practice critical care nursing.
J Contin Educ Nurs 2009;40(10):443-451.
AUTHORS
Ms. Stefanski is Nursing Instructor, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, Lafayette, Louisiana. Ms. Rossler is Assistant Clinical Professor, Texas Woman’s University, College of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences, Dallas, Texas.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
The authors acknowledge Dr. Lisa Broussard, faculty member at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, for her guidance and support as their editor in this endeavor and for her enthusiasm for simulation in nursing education.
Address correspondence to Robbie R. Stefanski, RN, MSN, Nursing Instructor, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions. P.O. Box 43810, Lafayette, LA 70504-3810.
doi:10.3928/00220124-20090923-03
