Effectiveness of a Low-fidelity Simulation Experience in Building Confidence among Advanced Practice Nursing Graduate Students

BackgroundHuman patient simulators are increasingly being integrated into nursing curricula; however, there is a gap in the literature supporting the use of human patient simulators among advanced practice nursing students.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine whether student confidence with heart and lung assessment would increase following a simulation experience.MethodThe 18 advanced practice nursing students in the experimental group received a 1-hour simulation experience focusing on cardiac and respiratory assessment, and 14 students in the control group received the usual course lecture and laboratory material. All students then completed a survey to assess confidence in assessment skills prior to starting clinical.ResultsA significant difference was found between the groups.ConclusionsResults provide support for integration of simulation into an advanced health assessment course, even for practicing more basic skills. Future studies need to measure confidence before and after a simulation experience and compare simulation outcomes against traditional teaching methods.