Simulation Workshop for Nursing Students
By Cathy DeChance, PhD, RN; Lisa Robert, MS, RNC; Dawn Olbrych, MSN, CNE; Nicole Hedowski, MSN, RN, NE-BC; Karla Scavo, MS, RN
Through the Retention/Persistence Proposal, money was obtained from the Office of the Provost, so that the AD team could develop a simulation workshop for our students. A small task force from the AD nursing team launched the simulation workshop for our students in July 2016.
Since inception, 134 students have attended the workshop. The simulation workshop is intended to provide students with an opportunity to practice an abbreviated implementation phase of the Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination (CPNE®). Two patient care scenarios were developed that represent a typical adult and a pediatric patient that the student will care for during the CPNE®.
An infant and child high-fidelity, programmable manikin are used for the pediatric component of the simulation. The manikins are programmed to exhibit vocal sounds and assessment findings. This allows students the opportunity to practice with unique scenarios while completing areas of competency. Students work in groups of three, and role play as parent for the pediatric patient, follow a scripted scenario as the adult patient, and monitor completion of critical elements as clinical examiner.
The simulation begins with a brief orientation and time for the student to plan their nursing implementation phase for the scenarios. Each student has 20 minutes to complete their assignment as another student observes and records specific critical elements. The critical elements represent expected evidence-based nursing behaviors related to various areas of competency. Every 20 minutes, the students engage in a five-minute faculty mediated debrief, and then rotate roles.
A medication breakout session allows students to simulate the administration of medication during a PCS. The students are provided a medication administration record. The students are expected to review the data and determine what medications are to be administered; select the appropriate medication; and administer the medication to the patient, assuring that the student is adhering to best practice for medication administration. A debriefing session is provided at the end of the day with a discussion of knowledge gained, areas in need of focus, and studying strategies.
