The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
Vol. 40 No. 11 November 2009
By Christopher James Gordon, RN, BN, MExSc; Tom Buckley, RN, BSc, MN, PhD
BACKGROUND
Recognition of and early intervention for patients with acutely deteriorating conditions is often the responsibility of medical-surgical nurses. This study examined the effect of simulation on medical-surgical graduate nurses’ perceived ability and confidence in responding to patient clinical emergencies.
METHOD
Fifty medical-surgical graduate students participated in high-fidelity immersive simulations. Questionnaires completed before and after simulation asked participants to rate their perceived ability and confidence.
RESULTS
After simulation, participants reported increased confidence in their ability to perform both technical and nontechnical aspects of responding to patient clinical emergencies. Ninety-four percent of participants identified formal debriefing as the most useful aspect of the simulation experience.
CONCLUSION
Medical-surgical graduate nurses’ confidence and perceived technical and nontechnical skills during patient clinical emergencies are enhanced following simulation. The ability of graduates to transfer the increased confidence and perceived advanced resuscitation skills following simulation to the clinical environment needs to be investigated.
J Contin Educ Nurs 2009;40(11):491-498.
AUTHORS
Mr. Gordon is Lecturer, Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Dr. Buckley is Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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.
Address correspondence to Christopher James Gordon, RN, BN, MExSc, Lecturer, Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Kuring-gai Campus, Eton Road, Lindfield, NSW, 2070, Australia.
doi:10.3928/00220124-20091023-06
