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Efficacy of a Simulation Program to Improve Clinical Judgment and Clinical Competence Among Graduate Nurses
Mary Ann Cantrell1, Bette Mariani, Evelyn Lengetti
1About the Authors The authors are faculty at the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania. Mary Ann Cantrell, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, is director, PhD program, and professor. Bette Mariani, PhD, RN, ANEF, is vice dean for academic affairs and associate professor. Evelyn Lengetti, PhD, RN-BC, is assistant dean of continuing education. This study was supported by the NLN Donnelly Corcoran Research Award and the Center for Nursing Research, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University. Dr. Mariani, Nursing Education Perspectives Research Brief editor, did not participate in the review or decision for this article. For more information, contact Dr. Cantrell at mary.ann.cantrell@villanova.edu.
Aim:
This two-group feasibility study tested the efficacy of a four-scenario simulation program to improve clinical judgment and clinical competence among graduate nurses.
Background:
Clinical judgment and clinical competence are underdeveloped among new-to-practice nurses.
Method:
Clinical judgment was compared between the intervention group (n = 17) and a control group (n = 26) in the practice setting at two time points.
Results:
The simulation program had a large effect on the intervention group's clinical judgment (η2 = .143) and clinical competence (η2 = .153). There were no statistically significant differences for each outcome at baseline as compared to the final scenario for the intervention group. There was no statistical significance between the intervention and control groups in clinical judgment in the practice setting at each measurement time.
Conclusion:
Replication of the study with a randomized controlled trial and large sample size is warranted.
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