Satisfaction and gains perceived by nursing students with medium and high-fidelity simulation: A randomized...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Simulation
• Medical Training

Background:

• Simulation is increasingly used in nursing education to replicate healthcare settings.
• Limited evidence exists comparing student satisfaction and perceived learning gains between medium- and high-fidelity simulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare nursing students' satisfaction and perceived learning gains between medium- and high-fidelity simulation environments.
• To benchmark the effectiveness of different fidelity levels in simulation-based nursing education.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (post-test only) was conducted with 4th-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students.
• Participants engaged in either medium-fidelity (control) or high-fidelity (experimental) simulated practice.
• Student satisfaction and perceived gains were assessed using validated scales, with statistical analysis performed at p<0.05.

Main Results:

• Eighty-five students participated; 92.94% were female, with a mean age of 21.89 years.
• High-fidelity simulation showed statistically significant higher scores in realism and overall satisfaction.
• A significant difference favoring high-fidelity simulation was found in the recognition/decision-making gains dimension.

Conclusions:

• Nursing students report higher satisfaction with the realism of high-fidelity simulation.
• High-fidelity simulation is perceived by students as more beneficial for developing recognition and decision-making skills compared to medium-fidelity simulation.