High-Fidelity Simulation in an Undergraduate Ambulatory Care Nursing Course

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Simulation

Background:

• Undergraduate baccalaureate nursing programs require robust clinical components.
• Ambulatory care settings present unique challenges for nursing students.
• Traditional clinical placements may not fully prepare students for diverse non-acute care roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a standardized patient simulation for an undergraduate ambulatory care nursing course.
• To enhance students' critical thinking and application of the nursing process in ambulatory settings.
• To increase nursing students' confidence in applying skills in non-acute care environments.

Main Methods:

• A three-station simulation was designed: skills refresher, telehealth, and clinic.
• Faculty, preceptors, and nursing management served as standardized patients.
• The simulation supported the clinical component of a new ambulatory care nursing course.

Main Results:

• Student feedback on the simulation was positive.
• The simulation was supported as a viable educational option for nursing students.
• The initiative aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• Standardized patient simulation is an effective educational strategy for ambulatory care nursing.
• This simulation enhanced students' ability to apply nursing skills in non-acute settings.
• The program successfully boosted student confidence and critical thinking.