Preparing Nursing Students for Obstetric Emergencies: Effects of High-Fidelity Simulation on Knowledge, Confidence...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Nursing Education
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Emergency obstetric situations demand rapid decision-making and technical skill.
• Nursing students have limited exposure to high-risk, low-frequency obstetric emergencies during clinical placements.
• Simulation-based education offers a safe environment for developing critical skills in managing obstetric emergencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a high-fidelity obstetric emergency simulation program on nursing students.
• Assessed changes in knowledge, perceived safety, and overall learning experience.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods design including quasi-experimental pretest-posttest and qualitative reflection analysis.
• Eighty-two third-year nursing students participated in simulations of various obstetric emergencies.
• Validated instruments measured knowledge, perceived safety, satisfaction, and self-confidence; data analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in knowledge of complex obstetric maneuvers and perceived safety during emergencies (p < 0.001).
• Participants reported high satisfaction and confidence in their learning experience.
• Qualitative data revealed enhanced emotional preparedness, clinical reasoning, and understanding of teamwork and debriefing.

Conclusions:

• High-fidelity simulation is an effective strategy for preparing nursing students for obstetric emergencies.
• Simulation enhances both technical competence and emotional readiness for urgent clinical care.
• Integrating simulation into nursing curricula strengthens preparedness for high-pressure obstetric scenarios.