Clinical simulation as an instructional strategy for animating the clinical nurse framework

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Simulation
• Clinical Nurse Leader Role

Background:

• The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) role encompasses managing clinical outcomes and the healthcare environment.
• Master's Entry Option (MEO) programs must equip students with both bedside and systems-level competencies.
• Simulation offers a dynamic method to teach these multifaceted CNL roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of simulation in teaching CNL students both bedside and systems-level skills.
• To explore how simulation can animate the curriculum for Master's Entry Option/Clinical Nurse Leader students in a pediatric setting.

Main Methods:

• Fourteen MEO/CNL students participated in two days of simulated pediatric scenarios, including well assessment and emergency response.
• A separate cohort of eight MEO/CNL students observed and reported on systems-level issues during junior baccalaureate students' pediatric simulations.

Main Results:

• Post-experience surveys indicated high agreement among students regarding the measured constructs of the simulation.
• Students demonstrated engagement and learning in both direct patient care and systems-level analysis through simulation.

Conclusions:

• Simulation is a valuable tool for animating the curriculum and preparing CNL students for diverse roles.
• The study supports the use of simulation to effectively teach both the bedside and systems-level responsibilities of the Clinical Nurse Leader.