Advanced practice nursing students' experiences with room of horror simulation to promote patient safety: A...

In considering the level of responsibility held by advanced practice nurses, ensuring patient safety must be a central component of advanced practice nursing education. Several healthcare education programmes have integrated Room of Horror simulations, which emphasise patient safety, as a learning activity. However, scant research has examined the effectiveness of Room of Horror as a method in advanced practice nursing education, especially studies that employ qualitative methodologies to explore student perspectives on this simulation.

The study aimed to explore the experiences of advanced practice nursing students using a Room of Horror simulation focused on promoting patient safety as an educational approach within their master's degree programme.

The study employed a descriptive qualitative design.

This research was conducted at a Norwegian university college that offers two master's programmes in advanced practice nursing. Students participated in the Room of Horror simulation to prepare for their upcoming clinical practice placement.

Eleven advanced practice nursing students participated in the study.

Data were collected through individual, dyadic and triadic interviews and analysed using systematic text condensation.

Two main categories of student experience were identified: (1) an engaging and memorable simulation that included competitive elements, and (2) enhanced awareness of competencies and responsibilities.

As an educational approach, Room of Horror simulations show promise for enhancing awareness, competencies and an emphasis on patient safety among advanced practice nursing students. The simulations also have the potential to deepen the students' understanding of their roles and responsibilities in advancing patient safety as future advanced practice nurses.