The Circle of Life: A Senior Nursing Student Summative Capstone Simulation

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Nursing Simulation
• Healthcare Training

Background:

• Baccalaureate nursing students face emergent patient situations, including death.
• Simulation offers a safe environment for practicing communication and teamwork in emotionally charged scenarios.
• Developing effective summative assessments is crucial for nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a final summative simulation integrating diverse curriculum elements.
• To assess nursing students' preparedness for complex, emergent patient care.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• A simulation involving a pregnant patient with H1N1 requiring intubation and emergency C-section was developed.
• Students managed a deteriorating pregnant patient and a premature infant in an intensive care setting.
• Interprofessional collaboration was practiced with simulated healthcare providers, a chaplain, and family members.

Main Results:

• 94% of students found the simulation beneficial for improving clinical judgment, assessments, and communication.
• Students reported the simulation enhanced interprofessional and patient/family communication skills.
• The simulation was considered challenging and recommended for continuation in senior nursing courses.

Conclusions:

• Summative simulations encompassing broad curriculum content are effective for assessing nursing student learning.
• Simulation provides a valuable tool for enhancing clinical judgment and communication in nursing education.
• Debriefing and open discussion significantly contribute to the learning outcomes of simulation-based education.