Simulation and baccalaureate nursing students' clinical competence

Abstract

Health science students are faced with a reduction in acute care clinical placement opportunities, which are considered essential for developing clinical competence. Education methods using high-fidelity human patient simulation (HPS) may provide a way to ensure students are meeting minimal levels of competence. Using a quasi-experimental design pilot study, clinical competence among 19, third year baccalaureate nursing students was investigated. The experimental group (n = 10) received four days of HPS as part of their clinical practicum, while the control group (n = 9) participated in their regular clinical practicum. Clinical competence was measured using final grades from a medical-surgical theory course and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). There was no significant difference in clinical competence between the groups, as was evidenced by their final theory grades; t (17) = 1.090, p = .291 and OSCE scores (M = 60 for both groups). The results from this pilot study can guide future research using HPS in health care education. A randomized controlled study with a larger sample needs to be completed to provide more insight into the outcomes of HPS in health care curricula.