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Comparing the Efficacy of Resuscitation Educational Modalities: A Randomized Study
Mandi D Walker1, Bridget Nuxoll, Sherle Niner
1Mandi D. Walker, DNP, RN, CCRN-K, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, is System Executive Director of Professional Practice, University of Louisville Health, Kentucky. Bridget Nuxoll, MSN, RN, PCCN-K, NPD-BC, is Professional Development Coordinator, University of Louisville Health, Kentucky. Sherle Niner, MSN, RN-BC, is Ancillary Staff Educator, University of Louisville Hospital, Kentucky. Thomas L. Hagan, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NPD-BC, is Resuscitation and Simulation Educator, Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky.
Instructor-led advanced cardiac life support training for nurses yielded better simulated megacode performance than online courses. This finding helps educators choose the optimal learning modality for critical care nursing education.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Cardiovascular Care
- Medical Simulation
Background:
- Registered nurses require advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification.
- Online learning offers flexibility, but its efficacy compared to traditional methods for critical skills needs evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of online versus instructor-led ACLS training for novice registered nurses.
- To assess learning outcomes across cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial comparing online and instructor-led ACLS courses.
- Learning outcomes assessed through cognitive tests, psychomotor skills evaluation, and simulated megacode performance.
Main Results:
- The instructor-led group demonstrated statistically significant superior performance during simulated megacode scenarios.
- Specific areas where instructor-led training excelled were identified for targeted educational improvements.
Conclusions:
- Instructor-led ACLS training appears more effective for developing critical psychomotor skills in novice registered nurses compared to online-only methods.
- Educators can use these findings to weigh the risks and benefits of different ACLS training modalities.
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