Debriefing Model for Psychological Safety in Nursing Simulations: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Simulation-Based Learning
• Psychological Safety

Background:

• Simulation-based learning is crucial for nursing education.
• Understanding nursing students' emotional experiences during simulations is vital for effective training.
• Psychological safety is essential for optimal learning and skill development in simulated environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the emotional experiences of undergraduate nursing students during simulation-based learning.
• To develop a debriefing model that promotes psychological safety in nursing simulations.
• To identify strategies for mitigating negative emotional responses and enhancing the simulation experience.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving face-to-face in-depth interviews with 23 undergraduate nursing students in South Korea.
• Content analysis was used to identify key themes and categories of emotional experiences.
• Development of the Share-Explore-Notice-Support-Extend (SENSE) debriefing model based on qualitative findings.

Main Results:

• Nine categories of emotional experiences were identified, including fear of evaluation, burden of being observed, unfamiliarity with new learning methods, interpersonal sensitivity, exhaustion, and stress.
• Students reported both negative experiences like stress and positive acceptance of challenges.
• The SENSE debriefing model was developed, incorporating stress management and emotional support.

Conclusions:

• Nursing students face diverse emotional challenges during simulations.
• The SENSE debriefing model provides a framework for addressing these challenges and fostering psychological safety.
• Implementing the SENSE model can improve the effectiveness of simulation-based learning and reduce student stress.