Muhammad Alqudah
The University of Newcastle, Australia
Title: Using virtual simulation to develop undergraduate nursing student skills in decision-making and prioritisation. A pilot study
Biography
Biography: Muhammad Alqudah
Abstract
Contemporary nursing educators are challenged to meet student expectations of learning that is both flexible and engaging. Nursing education is further confounded by reduced opportunities for consistent quality clinical experiences. Higher education must respond to these challenges by matching learning opportunities with stakeholder expectations. Simulation programs are proven effective educational tools in the healthcare context. The use of virtual simulation in health care to support development of clinical reasoning and prioritisation skills is growing in importance. Yet, there remains a dearth of literature in this field. The focus of this project has then been to pilot and evaluate an acute care virtual simulation platform based around care prioritisation. The pilot group were second year Bachelor of Nursing students from the University of Newcastle. The learning platform was evaluated for acceptance, functionality, confidence, and competence building in clinical decision-making when caring for 2 acute patients in a simulated hospital setting. The students had open access to the virtual simulation for a two weeks prior to attending focus group on campus. Transcripts of the focus groups were analysed thematically using narrative enquiry methods. Early results suggest that use of the virtual simulation added educational value to the students’ development of decision making and prioritisation skills. Students reported to feeling more confident prioritising assessment and care. This pilot learning virtual simulation suggests that the repeated use of the virtual program will enhance the knowledge and skills in decision-making and prioritisation so important in nursing.