Evaluation of an unfolding obstetric experience simulation in an undergraduate nursing program

Clinical practice for pre-licensure nurses in obstetrics widely varies and many sites do not consistently present opportunities to meet course objectives or manage complex obstetric nursing care. To address this problem at our institution, we designed a large-scale obstetric simulation using recommendations for best practice in simulation design criteria. We designed an unfolding, obstetric simulation that allowed students repeated opportunities for deliberate practice after micro-debriefing.

A convenience sample of junior level nursing students (n = 53) participated in a pre/post design evaluation to measure achievement of communication skills based on student perception of obstetric nursing self-efficacy and their ability to transfer those skills to a similar scenario.

Scores for obstetric self-efficacy were significantly improved. Pre-simulation (M = 40.78), Time 1 (M = 61.0) and Time 2 (M = 69.27), F (2, 159), =112.12, p = .00. A significant difference was found (t (52) = -7.839, p = .000) when comparing the mean pre and posttest clinical accuracy and completion scores for SBAR forms (n = 53).

Our unfolding, obstetric simulation was effective in helping our students demonstrate the achievement of course objectives through improved obstetric self-efficacy scores and scores for shift to shift communication.