Effect of Simulation on Learner Stress as Measured by Cortisol: An Integrative Review
Kelley McGuire1, Rebecca Lorenz
1Author Affiliations: Doctoral Student (Ms McGuire) and Associate Professor (Dr Lorenz), School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, Missouri.
Nurse Educator
|May 25, 2017
Summary
Cortisol effectively measures student stress in nursing simulation. However, research is unclear if this stress improves learning performance during simulated scenarios.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Medical Simulation
- Physiological Stress Response
Background:
- Simulated learning is integral to modern nursing education.
- Existing research emphasizes simulation design and use.
- The impact of student stress during simulations is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on learner stress in simulated nursing environments.
- To assess the validity of cortisol as a stress indicator in simulation.
- To explore the relationship between simulation stress and performance.
Main Methods:
- Integrative literature review.
- Analysis of studies measuring learner stress via cortisol levels.
- Synthesis of findings on stress measurement and performance correlation.
Main Results:
- Cortisol is a validated biomarker for stress in simulated nursing education.
- Evidence remains inconclusive regarding the effect of elevated stress on simulation performance.
- The review highlights a gap in understanding stress's role in learning outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Cortisol measurement is reliable for assessing stress in nursing simulations.
- Further research is needed to determine if stress during simulation enhances or hinders skill acquisition.
- Understanding learner stress is crucial for optimizing simulation-based nursing education.
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