Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Satisfaction and Self-Confidence with Clinical Simulation Experience

Abstract

Nursing and other health professionals are increasingly using simulation as a strategy and a tool for teaching and learning at all levels that need clinical training. Nursing education for decades used simulation as an integral part of nursing education. Recent studies indicated that simulation improves nursing knowledge, clinical practice, critical thinking, communication skills, improve self-confidence and satisfaction as well as clinical decision making.The aim of this study is to explore the perception of 117 nursing students on their satisfaction and self-confidence after clinical simulation experience using a survey method.This study was carried out at College of Nursing- Jeddah, King Saud bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Sciences. Where the nursing program consist of up to 30% clinical simulation.Data analyzed using descriptive method. Results indicated an overall satisfaction with simulation clinical experience. (Mean is 3.76 to 4.0) and indicated that their self-confidence is built after clinical simulation experience. (Mean is 3.11 to 4.14). The highest satisfaction items mean indicating participants agree that the teaching methods and strategies used in the simulation were effective, clinical instructors/ faculties did not embarrass them in front of others, and give them clear idea of what is expected from them. Participant strongly agreed that they are confident to recognize signs and symptoms of disease, obtaining the required knowledge from simulation to perform necessary tasks in clinical practice, developing the required skills from simulation to perform necessary task in clinical practice, and they can accurately assess an individual with any abnormalities.Participants indicated that they have high level of self-confidence in their abilities to conduct, appropriate health assessments, perform effective intervention, participate as an effective team member and recognize patient deterioration events.

Keywords: Clinical Simulation, Satisfaction, Self-Confidence