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Computerized clinical simulations: a strategy for staff development in critical care
1School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0608.
Summary
Two tools, the Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool and Cardiovascular Self-Evaluation Tool, effectively identified learning needs in critical care nurses. Computerized simulations also identified specific needs, complementing traditional methods for staff development evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Professional Development
- Critical Care Nursing
Background:
- Effective staff development requires accurate identification of employee learning needs and evaluation of training outcomes.
- Critical care settings face challenges including high patient acuity, nursing shortages, and rapid technological advancements.
- Tailored staff development programs and rigorous evaluation are crucial for critical care nurses' practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the discriminative abilities of a knowledge test, self-evaluation tool, and computerized simulations in assessing nurses' knowledge and experience levels.
- To compare the learning needs identified by these three distinct evaluative instruments.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 142 critical care nurses participated in the study.
- Participants completed the Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool for Critical Care, the Cardiovascular Self-Evaluation Tool, and four computerized clinical simulations.
Main Results:
- Both the Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool and Cardiovascular Self-Evaluation Tool successfully differentiated between nurses based on experience and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
- Computerized simulations distinguished nurses by ACLS certification but not by experience level.
- Computerized simulations provided more granular identification of learning needs compared to the other two tools.
Conclusions:
- The Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool and Cardiovascular Self-Evaluation Tool demonstrate discriminant validity and reliability, supporting their use in critical care staff development needs assessment.
- Computerized clinical simulations are valuable adjuncts to traditional methods for nursing staff development needs assessment and evaluation.