Constructed meanings of clinical simulation practices by nursing students

Abstract

Objective: To describe the meanings that nursing students have built from clinical simulation experience to meet their learning needs. Methodology: The descriptive qualitative study from a hermeneutic paradigm. The design corresponds to an instrumental case study. A focus group and in-depth interviews were applied to 5th year students of the nursing career of Universidad Mayor Temuco, Chile, 2015. Data reduction was done from Atlas Ti software, version 7.0. The transcription of verbal data was developed from Jefferson transcription convention, which allowed the development of codification processes and analysis of narratives. Results: 4 categories emerged: Characteristics of clinical simulation, training expectations of clinical simulation, mobilized competencies and the importance of simulation for clinical practice. Within the observed results, students recognize that clinical simulation provides a safe and risk-free environment, they can integrate what they have learned in theory, into practice, without fear of causing harm to patients, being able to make mistakes, therefore,achieving meaningful learning. In addition, it allows the development of competencies such as teamwork, effective communication, problem solving, stress management and leadership. All this improves the confidence and safety of the student when facing real patients, promoting the delivery of quality nursing care, safeguarding the safety of users. Conclusion: Students value clinical simulation from a technical and personal perspective as a learning methodology that facilitates integration between theory and practice, promoting patient safety, self-confidence and security in the student.