Using simulation to improve the capability of undergraduate nursing students in mental health care

IntroductionMental health care is an increasing component of acute patient care and yet mental health care education can be limited in undergraduate nursing programs. The aim of this study was to establish if simulation learning can be an effective method of improving undergraduate nurses' capability in mental health care in an acute care environment.InterventionUndergraduate nursing students at an Australian university were exposed to several high-fidelity high-technology simulation activities that incorporated elements of acute emergency nursing practice and acute mental health intervention, scaffolded by theories of learning. This approach provided a safe environment for students to experience clinical practice, and develop their skills for dealing with complex clinical challenges.MethodsUsing a mixed method approach, the primary domains of interest in this study were student confidence, knowledge and ability. These were self-reported and assessed before and after the simulation activities (intervention) using a pre-validated survey, to gauge the self-rated capacity of students to initiate and complete effective care episodes. Focus group interviews were subsequently held with students who attended placement in the emergency department to explore the impact of the intervention on student performance in this clinical setting.ResultsStudents who participated in the simulation activity identified and reported significantly increased confidence, knowledge and ability in mental health care post-intervention. They identified key features of the intervention included the impact of its realism on the quality of learning. There is some evidence to suggest that the intervention had an impact on the performance and reflection of students in the clinical setting.DiscussionThis study provides evidence to support the use of simulation to enhance student nurses' clinical capabilities in providing mental health care in acute care environments. Nursing curriculum development should be based on best-evidence to ensure that future nursing graduates have the skills and capability to provide high-quality, holistic care.     

The effect of laughter yoga applied before simulation training on state anxiety,perceived stress levels,self-confidence and satisfaction in undergraduate nursing students: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial

AimThis study aimed to examine the effect of laughter yoga applied before simulation training on state anxiety, perceived stress levels, self-confidence and satisfaction in undergraduate nursing students.BackgroundClinical simulation-based teaching implied a revolution in nursing education. Along with the many opportunities that simulation offers, some disadvantages, such as anxiety and stress experienced during simulation scenarios, could affect students’ satisfaction and self-confidence in learning. Therefore, laughter yoga could be an alternative method that reduces students' anxiety and stress levels and increases their self-confidence and satisfaction with simulation training.DesignThe study was designed as a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.SettingThis study was conducted at a university in Turkey.ParticipantsA total of 88 undergraduate nursing students were randomized to the intervention group (n = 44) or control group (n = 44).MethodsThe intervention group participated in the laughter yoga sessions just before the clinical simulation scenario, while the control group only performed the simulation training. The researchers examined the effect of laughter yoga on state anxiety, perceived stress levels, self-confidence and satisfaction in learning before and after the intervention. Data were collected between January - February 2022.ResultsThis study showed that the mean scores of state anxiety, perceived stress, mean pulse rate and arterial pressure of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, there was also a significant group*time interaction between the groups on state anxiety, perceived stress, pulse, respiratory and mean arterial pressure scores (p < 0.05). Moreover, the mean scores of student satisfaction and self-confidence in the learning of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe findings showed that laughter yoga helped nursing students reduce their state anxiety and perceived stress levels related to simulation training and improved their self-confidence and satisfaction with learning. Additionally, it enhanced the students' vital signs (including mean pulse rate and mean arterial pressure). These positive results are promising for using LY as an easy, safe and effective method to reduce undergraduate nursing students’ stress and anxiety levels and to improve their learning satisfaction and self-confidence levels in clinical skills training such as simulation training.     

Relationships among nursing student palliative care knowledge,experience, self-awareness,and performance: An end-of-life simulation study

BackgroundPalliative care education and experience are needed for student competence in delivering high-quality palliative nursing care. Simulation has been linked to acquired clinical competency among pre-licensure students. A known literature gap is measurement of students' performance during end-of-life simulations.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine relationships among previous palliative care nursing experience, knowledge, self-awareness, and performance in nursing students during an end-of-life simulation.Design/Setting/ParticipantsA quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design was used to assess these variables with a convenience sample of 75 senior nursing students during an end-of-life simulation at a Midwest Jesuit university.MethodsSelf-awareness was measured with the Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying, Form B. The Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing measured participants' knowledge. Participants' performance during the simulation was measured using a modified version of the Creighton Competency Evaluation Instrument®. Palliative care nursing self-awareness and knowledge were assessed before and after the simulation. Previous end-of-life care experience was assessed with a single demographic question at pretest only.ResultsThe sample was highly experienced in end-of-life care (93.3% reporting experience pre-simulation). Although pretest self-awareness (M = 124.5; ±1.3) and knowledge (M = 57.1%; ±2.2) were higher in students with two or more types of end-of-life experience (n = 42), there were no significant differences (p > .10) in these outcomes by groups pre- or post-simulation. Self-awareness (M = 130.1; ±1.2), knowledge (M = 80.5%; ±2.6), and performance (M = 94.1%; IQR 87.5 to 100) scores were high for student participants (n = 36) post-simulation, with moderate correlations found between some scores (r_pb < −0.40 or 0.40).ConclusionsFindings support self-awareness and knowledge as antecedents of high quality palliative nursing care. Students demonstrated increased post-simulation knowledge, self-awareness, and quality performance of palliative nursing care regardless of previous end-of-life experience. End-of-life simulation is supported as an education method for increasing palliative care nursing competence and assessing student performance of palliative care nursing interventions.     

Companionship and education: a nursing student experience in palliative care

Currently, major deficiencies exist in undergraduate nursing education for end-of-life care. Nursing students report feeling anxious and unprepared to be with patients who are dying. A Palliative Care Companion program that allows undergraduate nursing students to volunteer to spend time with patients at the end of life provides a unique educational opportunity to enhance students' knowledge and attitudes toward palliative care. In addition, the program offers a service to patients and families by providing a nonmedical, caring human presence to patients who may be alone, lonely, or bored. In accordance with tenets of Experiential Learning Theory, a Palliative Care Companion program was developed and revised using feedback from initial participants and facilitators. Data collected during the first two semesters indicated increased knowledge of palliative care, improved attitudes about care at the end of life, and fewer concerns about providing nursing care to dying patients, when participating students were compared to their undergraduate peers.     

Modelo de aprendizaje de cuidados paliativos basado en la teoría de aprendizaje transformacional de cuidados paliativos de los estudiantes de enfermería en Indonesia

IntroductionPalliative care competence is one of the competencies that must be possessed by generalist nurses. For this reason, strategies for developing palliative care learning models need to be carried out to ensure nursing students have palliative care competencies. Therefore, this study was structured to develop a transformation theory-based palliative care learning model that prioritizes the active participation of students to deal with palliative care in future practice.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional study involving 189 nursing students as participants. The proposed model involves six variables, namely student characteristics, educator characteristics, learning media, palliative care competencies, transformative learning theory (TLT)-based palliative learning, and competency achievement. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was tested using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique.ResultsSEM analysis showed that the R² value of TLT-based palliative care learning was 0.707 or 70.7%. These results indicate that the diversity of TLT-based palliative care learning variables can be explained by the variables of students, educators, palliative competencies, and learning media by 70.7%. Each construct has a value of Q2 > 0, which means the model is satisfactory. The path coefficient value of 0.627 indicates that the characteristics of educators have the most significant contribution to the TLT-based palliative care learning model.ConclusionIt can be concluded that the teaching-learning process based on TLT is a promising strategy to support nursing students to achieve palliative care competence.     

Bringing simulation to the classroom using an unfolding video patient scenario: A quasi-experimental study to examine student satisfaction,self-confidence,and perceptions of simulation design

BackgroundTeaching strategies to promote experiential learning in the classroom are important to facilitate students' clinical reasoning abilities. Using video to simulate unfolding patient scenarios in the classroom has the potential to engage students through active learning and to enhance their ability to connect theory to practice.ObjectivesStudy objectives were to: (1) Evaluate nursing students' satisfaction and self-confidence in learning and perceptions of the design of a simulated patient scenario delivered via video in the classroom and (2) Compare findings to students' satisfaction, self-confidence, and perceptions of the design of prior high-fidelity simulation experiences in the laboratory.DesignA quasi-experimental approach was used.SettingThe study setting was a nursing classroom at a University in the southeast United States.ParticipantsConvenience sampling was utilized and 54 students in their final semester of a pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing program participated.MethodsThe intervention was an unfolding video patient scenario delivered in the classroom. Prior to the intervention, participants completed two measurement tools to collect information about their satisfaction, self-confidence, and perceptions of the design of prior high-fidelity simulations. After the intervention, these tools were administered again to collect data about the video simulation experience in the classroom.ResultsParticipants had a higher level of satisfaction (p = 0.002) and self-confidence (p < 0.001) following the classroom intervention than for prior high-fidelity simulations in the laboratory. Student perceptions of the simulation design were more favorable for the classroom intervention than for prior laboratory simulations (p < 0.001).ConclusionsUse of unfolding video patient scenarios in the classroom can promote student engagement in learning. Nurse educators should consider this teaching strategy that provides students with opportunities to connect and apply classroom content to patient care.     

Nursing students’ experiences with patient death and palliative and end-of-life care: A systematic review and meta-synthesis

AimTo synthesise the experiences of nursing students encountering patient death and caring for patients under palliative care or at end-of-life and their families in clinical settingsBackgroundNurses are pivotal in caring for dying patients and families. It has been reported that nursing students feel unprepared in caring for dying patients and handling patient death. Understanding their experiences would better inform how palliative care education can be improved and how students can be better supported in clinical settings.DesignA qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesisMethodsPubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed articles and theses/dissertations published between 1 January 2012–25 Feb 2023. Qualitative studies of any design reporting nursing students’ experiences of patient death, caring for patients under palliative care, at end-of-life, or with time-limiting diseases in clinical settings in English were included. Study quality was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Data were synthesised using Sandelowski and Barroso’s 2-step framework through a meta-summary using thematic analysis, which were then integrated into meta-syntheses using an event timeline.ResultsThe review included 71 studies from 26 countries (n = 1586 nursing students). The meta-summary contained 8 themes and 23 subthemes: (1) Communication experience with patients and families, (2) Satisfaction with care provided to patients and families, (3) Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on death and dying, (4) Perceptions of death and dying, (5) Impact of death, (6) Nursing education on palliative end-of-life care, (7) Support systems and coping methods, (8) Learning outcomes. The meta-synthesis depicted nursing students' experiences before, during and after encountering dying patients, families and patient death. Suggestions for nursing faculty and clinical staff on how they could equip students with necessary skills and knowledge and support them in clinical settings were also provided.ConclusionsWhile caring for dying patients and families was beneficial to nursing students' learning and professional development, they encountered many challenges. Governments, clinical and academic nursing leaders must prioritise the integration of palliative care content into the curricula across nursing schools in face of increasing palliative and end-of-life care needs in patients. Nursing schools should ensure that students are adequately prepared by designing culturally and socioeconomically relevant curricula, integrating theoretical and experiential learning and offering students a thorough understanding of palliative and end-of-life care. Clinical staff and nursing instructors should support students emotionally and guide them in patient care.     

Effectiveness of a nursing board games in psychiatric nursing course for undergraduate nursing students: An experimental design

AimTo examine the effectiveness of a psychiatric nursing board game in an undergraduate psychiatric nursing course.BackgroundDidactic teaching fails to assist students in deepening their understanding of abstract concepts in psychiatric nursing. The game-based learning of professional courses can address the demands of digital-age students, which may improve their learning outcomes.DesignA parallel two-arm experimental design was adopted in a nursing college in southern Taiwan.MethodsThe participants were fourth-year students enroled in a college nursing programme in southern Taiwan. Simple random sampling was used to divide the class into intervention and control groups. The former participated in an eight-week game-based intervention course, while the latter continued to receive traditional instruction. In addition to collecting the students’ demographic data, three structural questionnaires were developed to examine the variation in students’ nursing knowledge and attitudes toward psychiatric nursing, as well as their learning satisfaction before and after the intervention.ResultsThere were a total of 106 participants, with 53 in each group. After the intervention, the two groups were significantly different in terms of their psychiatric nursing knowledge, attitudes and self-reported learning satisfaction. The intervention group’s scores were significantly higher than those of the control group across all three dimensions. This suggests the positive effects of the board game intervention on students’ learning outcomes.ConclusionThe research outcome can be applied in formative and undergraduate nursing education in teaching psychiatric nursing globally. The game-based learning materials developed can be used to train psychiatric nursing teachers. Future studies should recruit a larger sample and increase the follow-up time for assessing students’ learning outcomes, as well as examine the similarities and differences in the learning outcomes of students from different educational systems.     

Impact of ELNEC-undergraduate curriculum on associate degree nursing student primary palliative care knowledge

BackgroundPrimary palliative care (PPC) education is deficient in nursing curricula. The Endof-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) curricula are frequently utilized PPC educational interventions; however, there is limited evidence exploring the impact of the new undergraduate curriculum on student knowledge.PurposeThe purpose of the study was to determine the impact of ELNEC-Undergraduate curriculum on associate degree nursing students’ knowledge of PPC.MethodsThe quasi-experimental study implemented a pretest/posttest design with a single cohort of associate degree nursing students enrolled in their final semester. Knowledge was assessed using the Undergraduate Nursing Palliative Care Knowledge Survey. Paired sample ttests analyzed change in knowledge. Hierarchical linear regressions analyzed the effect of student demographics on knowledge.ResultsKnowledge significantly increased after the implementation of the ELNECUndergraduate curriculum. No significant effects of demographic variables were identified.ConclusionThe ELNEC-Undergraduate curriculum is effective in improving associate degree nursing students’ knowledge of PPC.     

Palliative care and end of life issues in UK pre-registration, undergraduate nursing programmes

Palliative and end of life care topics have traditionally not been in nursing school curricula. Only in recent years have these been included. The aim of this research was to determine the current status of such an emphasis in programmes in the United Kingdom (UK). A mailed survey in 2006 to the 66 undergraduate (pre-registration) nursing programmes in the UK (return rate of 79%) determined that palliative and end of life care play a significant role in these programmes. Forty-five teaching hours on average were devoted to these topics. All of the schools have some provision on palliative and end of life care, and over 95% of students participated in these courses. A nurse was usually the primary instructor, although non-nurses were sometimes used. Attitudes toward dying and death and communicating with terminally-ill patients and family members were emphasised. By highlighting dying and death in the curricula, nursing schools appeared to be giving nursing students an opportunity to face the issue of death, thus helping them to be better prepared to help their patients and their families to do so.     

Undergraduate nursing students' course expectations,actual experiences,and associated satisfaction levels: A mixed methods survey

BackgroundStudent satisfaction is related to experiences and expectations. It is challenging for educational administrators to deliver quality experiences without student expectation insight. Without this insight, student satisfaction is at risk.AimThis study aims to develop a better understanding of the gaps that exist between student expectations and student experiences in a nursing program to inform and potentially improve student satisfaction in undergraduate nursing programs.MethodsThis research was a mixed methods survey undertaken at an Australian regional university. A total of 82 nursing students completed the survey, which contained open and closed questions addressing various domains of course experience. The questions were mostly categorical (respondents selected from predetermined ordinal options), with opportunities to elaborate on some questions.FindingsThe survey responses showed that flexibility in subject requirements, the helpfulness of academic/teaching staff (lecturers and tutors), and clarity of teacher communications correlated strongly with satisfaction in those respective areas. Expectation-experience discrepancy correlated strongly with satisfaction in these areas: support to navigate university systems, the timing of subject availability, the helpfulness of academic staff, and timetable suitability. The strongest predictor of students’ overall satisfaction with their course was the extent to which they felt “supported to navigate university systems.”ConclusionThe findings indicate that a better understanding of student course expectations can lead to better student satisfaction and, as such, educational administrators should work to innovate methods to discover and address student expectations.     

Online Palliative and End-of-Life Care Education for Undergraduate Nurses

The curricula of undergraduate nursing programs lack education in palliative and end-of-life care. If the topic is covered, it is generally within isolated lectures and rarely as a full course. With the growing demand for nursing competence in palliative care, curricula must adapt to also place emphasis on this important topic. The release in 2016 of the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) Palliative Competencies and Recommendations for Educating Undergraduate Nursing Students (CARES) drew attention to the need for expanded undergraduate education on this topic. This paper describes the development and delivery of an undergraduate-level online nursing elective course in palliative and end-of-life care offered through a large public university. Innovative elements of the course include practicing difficult conversations using technology to enable active student engagement in an online environment, a serious game involving individual role play for treatment decision making, and special topic weeks allowing a deeper dive into seldom discussed populations such as the homeless, which the students described as playing an important role in contributing to their learning.