Simulation for emergency nurses (SIREN): A quasi-experimental study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Patient Safety
• Clinical Outcomes

Background:

• Simulation is an effective learning strategy in nursing education.
• Integrating simulation into clinical settings can enhance patient safety and outcomes.
• Evaluating simulation effectiveness is crucial for validating its value.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate an innovative simulation experience for registered nurses.
• To assess the impact of simulation on nurses' anxiety, self-efficacy, and documentation.
• To gauge participant satisfaction with the simulation training.

Main Methods:

• A high-fidelity simulation focused on nursing assessment was conducted with 50 Registered Nurses in an Emergency Department (ED).
• Pre- and post-simulation questionnaires assessed anxiety and self-efficacy.
• Participant satisfaction, self-confidence, and electronic health record documentation were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Anxiety scores significantly decreased post-simulation (p < 0.001).
• Self-efficacy in patient assessment significantly increased post-simulation (p < 0.001).
• Documentation scores for clinical handover and indicators of urgent illness showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001 and p = 0.028, respectively).

Conclusions:

• High-fidelity simulation effectively reduced anxiety and enhanced self-efficacy in patient assessment among ED nurses.
• Simulation training led to improved patient record documentation.
• Registered nurses reported high satisfaction with the simulation experience.