Investigation of Learning Outcomes for the Acquisition and Retention of CPR Knowledge and Skills Learned with the Use of High-Fidelity Simulation

BackgroundThere is currently no evidence of increased acquisition and retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) knowledge and skills learned with the use of human patient simulation (HPS) experiences for undergraduate nursing students.MethodA quasi-experimental design was used to compare the acquisition and retention of CPR knowledge and skills for nursing students; the control group did not receive the simulation experience, and the experimental group did.ResultsThe HPS cardiopulmonary arrest scenario had a statistically significant effect on the acquisition of both CPR knowledge and skills. The 3-month retention scores for the experimental group were also significantly higher than for the control group.ConclusionsThis information may assist health care educators to teach CPR with improved learning outcomes.