Why do we use simulation in nursing?
The use of simulation has been found to increase student self confidence, enhance critical thinking, promote teamwork, and improve hands on technical skills. Undergraduate classes focus on the management and intervention of patients with coordination of care. Graduate nursing classes focus on performing a physical exam, diagnosing common health conditions, and developing a treatment plan using a live standardized patient.
Improves Patient Safety
Simulation is a safe environment where mistakes can be made and students learn from those mistakes. On-campus simulation provides nursing students an opportunity for exposure, assessment and implementation of care of simulated patients. Simulation also allows the nursing student practice prioritization and development of critical thinking skills.
Enhances Communication Skills
The simulation learning scenarios provide opportunities for students to practice communication with the nurse educator, clinical nurse manager, health care provider, respiratory therapist, lab personnel, and pharmacy. Opportunities to use communication skill sets such as reporting a patient’s condition and providing patient education are integrated into each simulation experience.
Promotes Practice of Clinical Skills
The old saying “Practice makes perfect” applies to simulation. Students have the ability to practice nursing skills such as medication administration and wound care. Simulation allows students to practice and perfect their skills on a manikin before working with an actual patient.
What do our current students say they like about simulation?
“I like the teamwork, the support, and the hands-on practice.”
“It let me experience patient care without the stress of real patients”
“The simulations seemed like real patient care”
