Building Competencies: The Impact of Simulation on Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Leadership Development

Background:

• Modern healthcare demands advanced skills in quality improvement (QI).
• Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) students need practical experience in QI project development.
• Effective leadership and communication are vital for successful healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a simulation experience for DNP students focused on QI project proposals.
• To assess the impact of the simulation on student skill refinement in QI design, leadership, critical thinking, team building, and communication.
• To gauge student preparedness for real-world healthcare challenges.

Main Methods:

• DNP students presented proposed QI projects within a simulation.
• An embedded participant provided feedback on student projects.
• The simulation focused on developing key competencies for healthcare settings.

Main Results:

• The simulation effectively refined students' skills in QI design and project leadership.
• Participants demonstrated enhanced critical thinking, team building, and communication abilities.
• Positive feedback across 11 cohorts confirmed the simulation's value.

Conclusions:

• The simulation is an effective tool for preparing DNP students in quality improvement.
• The experience fosters essential teamwork and communication skills for healthcare professionals.
• This simulation enhances student readiness for complex healthcare settings.