Advanced Practice Nursing Simulation for Neonatal Skill Competency: A Pilot Study for Successful Continuing Education

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Nursing Skills
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Skill retention is a challenge for healthcare professionals, with potential decline within six months post-training.
• High-risk, low-frequency procedures pose a particular challenge for maintaining competency.
• Web-based refreshers offer a potential solution for skill maintenance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore competency retention for managing difficult airways and laryngeal mask airways.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based content refresher for high-risk, low-frequency procedures.
• To assess the feasibility of maintaining clinical skills through online refreshers.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
• Initial session to establish clinical skill competency.
• Six months post-training, participants were randomized into two groups: one reviewing web-based content and simulation, the other simulation only.

Main Results:

• A positive trend in maintaining competency was observed for complex airway management with web-based content review.
• The study demonstrated the feasibility of using web-based content refreshers to maintain competency in low-frequency procedures.
• Group 1, which included web-based review, showed a trend towards better skill retention.

Conclusions:

• Advanced practice nurses can potentially maintain competency in high-risk, low-frequency procedures through this method.
• Web-based content refreshers are a viable tool for continuing education in healthcare.
• Healthcare organizations should consider the importance of ongoing training for skill maintenance.