Professional competence development through interprofessional simulation-based learning assists perioperative nurses...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Perioperative Care
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Perioperative nursing demands specialized skills for patient safety in acute scenarios.
• Interprofessional simulation-based learning (ISBL) prepares nursing students for clinical practice in a safe, controlled environment.
• Limited research exists on the post-graduation impact of ISBL on perioperative nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore recent graduates' experiences with ISBL in postgraduate perioperative nursing education.
• To determine if and how ISBL contributed to their professional competence in managing acute clinical situations.

Main Methods:

• Explorative qualitative design adhering to COREQ guidelines.
• Semi-structured interviews with 16 recent perioperative nurse graduates (3-5 months post-graduation).
• Phenomenological hermeneutical analysis (naïve reading, structural analysis, comprehensive understanding).

Main Results:

• Emergent themes included enhanced competence in handling acute situations.
• Development of interprofessional teamwork skills was a key outcome.
• Significant professional identity development was reported by participants.

Conclusions:

• ISBL effectively develops crucial competencies and professional identity in perioperative nursing students.
• Competencies gained through ISBL are transferable to clinical practice and enhance recent graduates' performance.
• ISBL is a vital educational strategy that should be incorporated into perioperative nursing curricula.