Facilitating Multiple Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum Groups During Simulation Laboratory Days.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Nursing Education
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Traditional medical-surgical nursing practicum rotations face challenges in providing consistent, diverse clinical experiences.
• Integrating simulation offers a controlled environment to supplement hands-on clinical exposure.
• Developing innovative pedagogical approaches is crucial for effective nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel approach combining simulation laboratory days with skills stations during a medical-surgical nursing practicum.
• To enhance the learning experience for nursing students by providing structured simulation exposure.
• To assess the feasibility of rotating multiple clinical groups through simulation activities weekly.

Main Methods:

• A weekly simulation laboratory day was implemented during a medical-surgical nursing practicum.
• Students rotated through nursing skills education practice stations.
• Students participated in high-fidelity simulation learning experiences and new skill stations.

Main Results:

• 93 students across 12 clinical groups participated in the program.
• Each student rotated through two high-fidelity simulation learning experiences weekly.
• Students also engaged with one new skill station each week throughout the semester.

Conclusions:

• The integrated simulation laboratory day effectively facilitated multiple clinical groups within the nursing practicum.
• This approach provided consistent exposure to simulation and skills practice for a large cohort of nursing students.
• The model offers a scalable solution for enhancing clinical skills development in nursing education.