Innovative Classroom Upgrade: Simulating an Intensive Care Unit Environment in an Undergraduate Academic Classroom.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Undergraduate nursing students have limited hands-on critical care experience.
• Clinical hours often do not provide sufficient exposure to critically ill patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a course for undergraduate nursing students.
• To provide exposure to the intensive care unit (ICU) environment and critically ill patients.
• To introduce essential critical care skills not typically encountered in standard clinical rotations.

Main Methods:

• The course utilized a blended learning approach.
• High-fidelity simulation, didactic teaching, and online discussions were employed.
• Narrative, reflective writing was incorporated to deepen understanding.

Main Results:

• Students gained exposure to critical care concepts and entry-level skills.
• The course provided a simulated ICU environment for learning.
• Faculty with current critical care practice led the educational activities.

Conclusions:

• The developed course effectively addresses the need for practical critical care training in undergraduate nursing programs.
• Innovative teaching modalities can successfully introduce students to complex critical care scenarios.
• This educational model enhances preparedness for critical care nursing practice.