Use of simulation to improve nursing students' medication administration competence: a mixed-method study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Simulation

Background:

• Medication administration errors are critical adverse events in healthcare.
• Nursing training must prioritize patient safety and effective medication administration.
• Simulation offers a valuable tool for teaching patient safety procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a simulation-based activity for nursing students acquiring safe medication administration skills.
• To assess student perceptions of the simulation's effectiveness.
• To determine the impact of simulation on competency in the 'six rights' of medication administration.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method study involving second-year nursing students in pharmacology.
• Pre-simulation online questionnaires and post-simulation tutor evaluations using a checklist.
• Content analysis of open-ended student feedback on the simulation experience.

Main Results:

• Compliance with the 'six rights' of medication administration improved significantly post-simulation, except for data documentation.
• Specific improvements noted in 'right patient,' 'right medication,' 'right dose,' 'right route,' and 'right time.'
• Students reported satisfaction, feeling the simulation better prepared them for real-world healthcare.

Conclusions:

• Simulation is an effective tool for developing essential medication administration skills in nursing students.
• Simulation successfully bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical application.
• Simulation enhances nursing curricula and is expected to improve overall patient safety.