Developing a Responsive Transferable Model for Delivering Large-Scale Simulation Education to Inpatient Nursing Staff

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Simulation
• Professional Development

Background:

• Implementing large-scale continuing nursing education programs presents operational challenges.
• Integrating professional development into daily nursing practice requires innovative solutions.
• Ensuring staff participation necessitates addressing work schedule and patient care coverage concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a sustainable simulation education program for bedside nursing staff.
• To integrate continuing development into regular work schedules.
• To develop provisions for accommodating patient assignment coverage during training.

Main Methods:

• The project involved the planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of a novel simulation program.
• The program was designed to be incorporated directly into the work schedules of bedside nurses.
• Strategies were developed to ensure continuous patient care coverage during educational sessions.

Main Results:

• The simulation education program was successfully implemented across four inpatient units at an academic medical center.
• The program achieved a high participation rate, reaching 89% of the employed nurses.
• The integration into work schedules and coverage provisions proved effective for program delivery.

Conclusions:

• A sustainable simulation education program can be successfully established and integrated into nursing practice.
• Addressing operational challenges like scheduling and coverage is crucial for large-scale continuing education.
• Simulation offers an effective modality for professional development in nursing, achieving high staff engagement.