Developing Skills Labs for Obstetric and Pediatric Nursing Students

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Skills Development
• Healthcare Simulation

Background:

• Specialty nursing areas like obstetrics and pediatrics demand specialized skills.
• Nursing students often lack sufficient didactic preparation for clinical rotations in these fields.
• Faculty face challenges in equipping students with competence, confidence, and critical thinking for optimal clinical experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative skills lab for nursing students.
• To integrate both skills training and simulation components.
• To enhance student preparedness for specialty nursing clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• A skills lab was developed incorporating hands-on skills stations.
• Simulation scenarios were integrated to mimic real-world clinical situations.
• The curriculum focused on critical thinking and decision-making in specialty nursing.

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated increased competence and confidence upon entering clinical rotations.
• The skills lab improved critical thinking abilities relevant to specialty nursing.
• Faculty reported enhanced student readiness and performance in clinical settings.

Conclusions:

• A combined skills and simulation lab effectively prepares nursing students for specialty clinical practice.
• This approach addresses the gap in didactic preparation for complex nursing roles.
• Investing in such labs is crucial for developing competent and confident future nurses.