Using High-fidelity Simulation to Teach Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Students

•There is a lack of evidence addressing the benefits of simulation in advanced practice registered nurse educational programs.•Acute care pediatric nurse practitioner students do not get practice in high-risk or serious situation management.•Despite a lack of significant results, students responded positively to the opportunity for high-fidelity simulation.•Debriefing is the most important part of high-fidelity simulation experience for participants.

Acute care nurse practitioner students do not have the opportunity to practice independent clinical decision making in serious situations in student clinical rotations, and learning this skill is critical to successful role transition. High-fidelity simulation can provide an opportunity for practicing these skills. A pilot study comparing students' knowledge before and after participation in a high-fidelity simulation as compared with traditional learning is presented. The difference between the 2 modes of teaching was not statistically significant. However, these pediatric acute care nurse practitioner students reported satisfaction, enthusiasm, and enjoyment reflected through participation in a structured debriefing process.