The case for group planning in human patient simulation

This evaluation research focused on ways to improve the simulation learning experiences of prelicensure nursing students participating in a high-acuity nursing course. Based on the findings of a paper-and-pen midterm formative evaluation, focus groups were held to learn more about student attitudes regarding their simulation experience.Two themes emerged: (1) students felt unfairly "singled out" during simulation and perceived that their apprehension interfered with their learning, and (2) collaborative learning could be a potential strategy for dealing with feeling singled out. In response to these concerns, faculty included a group-planning experience for each remaining simulation. Students immediately reported that their anxiety lessened and that they learned more from their simulation experiences. In their final evaluations, students identified group-planning sessions as the most helpful component of the simulation experience. These findings suggest that group care planning may be an important simulation design component.