Bridging Theory and Practice: Evaluating the StepUp Learning Tool for Clinical Preparedness in Nursing Education

Nursing students must have adequate knowledge and skills before clinical placement. High-fidelity patient simulation (HFPS) is commonly used to evaluate student learning, but little is known about how students prepare for HFPS.

To examine self-directed learning (SDL) and self-satisfaction and confidence in learning (SSSCL) during HFPS following a series of activities in the StepUp Learning Tool, a structured preparatory intervention.

This mixed-methods study employed a controlled quantitative design and a qualitative narrative component. The intervention group used the StepUp Learning Tool, while the control group received standard preparatory materials.

The intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in SDL ( P < .001) and SSSCL ( P = .018) than the control group post-HFPS. Qualitative feedback from the intervention group supported these findings, indicating that the structured approach better prepared students, enhancing their satisfaction and confidence.

Incorporating structured preparatory tools effectively improves nursing students' SDL, satisfaction, and confidence in HFPS.