Joanne Porter
Federation University, Australia
Title: Undergraduate nursing student’s preparation for clinical placement: A simulated live ward experience
Biography
Biography: Joanne Porter
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this paper is to report and showcase the development and evaluation of a simulated live lab ward experience for undergraduate nursing students.
Background: The proposed research will use live human actor simulation compared to manikin simulation to develop clinical thinking skills and the transition to practice for nursing students. In a study by Shinnick and Woo in 2012, they found that nursing students liked the practicality of human actors in a 12 minute simulated environment believing it enhanced their safety of practice and critical thinking skills. The use of simulation engages students through multiple learning styles allowing students to practice skills in a safe learning environment with the added important feedback and reflection loop.
Method: The live lab experience included 15 patient actors and relatives, together with undergraduate final year students in the role of registered nurse and second year students. The day included a pre-briefing, 2 hour shift in the live lab caring for the patients, a focus group interview and final full cast debriefing session.
Results: A total of 13 students participated in the event; each started the day with heightened anxiety however stated that the experience increased their clinical skills, teamwork, and communication skills.
Conclusion: A live lab simulation experience is greatly valued by participants and leads to increased clinical confidence. Although a time and resource intensive exercise the staff, patient actors, research crew and nursing student participants all enjoyed the experience which helped develop and enhance clinical performance and preparation.