Teaching management of the unexpected birth: application of multimodal techniques

The ability to safely manage birth in the emergency department is a competency for emergency nurse practitioner practice. However, it is difficult to ensure that students receive enough practice with this low-frequency event. To meet this need, we created a learning environment combining readings, skills videos, lecture, practice with models, simulation, and debriefing to assist students in providing safe care to women giving birth in the emergency department. This program, which includes a high-fidelity, low-technology simulation, has been successfully implemented with excellent results. The realistic nature of the simulations, use of recently graduated nurse-midwives as the simulated patients, and group interactions during the births were keys to this successful simulation experience. When paired with appropriate preparation, simulation of an unexpected birth in the emergency department promotes confidence and safe practice among advanced practice nursing students.