Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
04:36
Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
Implementing and evaluating a comprehensive simulation-based program to enhance nursing students' coping with death,
Miguel Ángel Martín-Parrilla1,2,3, Noelia Durán-Gómez2,3,4, Marta Nadal-Delgado2,3,5
1Departamento de Enfermería, Centro Universitario de Plasencia, Universidad de Extremadura, Plasencia, Spain.
Frontiers in Psychology
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Simulation-based learning experiences (SBLE) significantly improved nursing students' ability to cope with death and enhanced communication skills. The program also reduced burnout, fostering more compassionate end-of-life care professionals.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Medical Simulation
- Competency-Based Learning
Background:
- Higher education reforms emphasize active student engagement for competency-based learning.
- Simulation-based learning experiences (SBLE) are effective in nursing education for integrating practical and emotional skills, particularly in palliative care.
- This study addresses the need to prepare nursing students for emotionally demanding aspects of care, such as end-of-life situations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate a simulation-based educational program for undergraduate nursing students.
- To enhance students' coping capacity with death and reduce burnout.
- To improve communication skills for compassionate and emotionally competent care.
Main Methods:
- A one-group pretest-posttest program evaluation design was used.
- Second-year undergraduate nursing students participated in the intervention.
- The intervention included pre-briefing, simulation, and debriefing sessions focusing on death, burnout, and communication with terminal patients.
Main Results:
- Post-intervention, students showed significant improvements in coping with death (p < 0.001).
- Statistically significant reductions in emotional exhaustion and cynicism, with increased self-efficacy, were observed.
- Communication skills and overall satisfaction with SBLE were notably high.
Conclusions:
- Simulation-based learning effectively enhances nursing students' emotional preparedness, coping capacity, and communication skills.
- SBLE contributes to reducing burnout among nursing students.
- Integrating SBLE into nursing curricula is recommended to cultivate compassionate and resilient end-of-life care professionals.
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