Use of Simulation Scenarios to Evaluate FNP Students

The use of high-fidelity simulators as a teaching tool in nursing education is a growing trend in nursing programs in undergraduate as well as graduate education throughout the United States.  Since the early 1990’s, educators and researchers have been using simulators to improve education and study clinical performance.  One of the challenges in evaluating FNP student clinical performance is related to the differences that each clinical site presents.  The expectations change across the curriculum and it is necessary to meet educational criteria as outlined in each course. An advantage to simulation is that a predictable environment can be designed that will allow FNP students to practice under realistic conditions in real time using authentic case scenarios. This project involves the use of an interactive patient care simulation utilizing the METI (Medical Education Technologies, Inc) Simulation Mannequins.  The faculty team will use simulation scenarios to test the ability of the student to apply assessment results, formulate a differential diagnoses list, and apply protocols in the management of common health problems. As expectations change across the curriculum, the scenarios will be expanded to include legal and financial issues (ICD-9 coding of diagnoses) as well as consideration of the ethical and cultural issues involved in the care of a rural population. This descriptive study was designed by the Primary Care Team to measure FNP students’ response to selected Simulation scenarios.  Qualitative measurement of the effectiveness of the simulations will be measured utilizing a comment section on METI’s Simulation Effectiveness Scale.  The simulations are designed to be a stepwise capstone experience at the end of each Primary Care clinical course. It is anticipated that the data will reflect the students’ cumulative experience as they progress through the FNP tractThe Simulation scenario increases the students’ awareness of his/her client-care skills and will allow for identification of areas needing improvement.  With the inconsistencies of clinical opportunities for FNP students, the use of simulated clinical experiences will provide consistent evaluation of structured learning experiences. This instructional approach will allow learners to engage in experiential learning covering the NONPF Domains.