Pilot Testing of Evidence-Based Symptom Management Telehealth Simulation-Based Experiences in an Oncology Nursing Seminar.

ABSTRACT: Telehealth simulation-based experiences (T-SBEs) offer one approach to prepare nursing students with the requisite skills to deliver oncology evidence-based symptom management (EBSM) using telecommunication technology. Fourteen baccalaureate nursing students participated in this one-group, pretest/posttest, convergent mixed-methods pilot study with questionnaire variant. Data were collected before and/or after two oncology EBSM T-SBEs using standardized participants. The T-SBEs resulted in significant increases in self-perceived competence, confidence, and self-confidence in clinical decision-making related to oncology EBSM. Qualitative themes included value, application, and preference for in-person SBEs. Future research is warranted to definitively determine the effect of oncology EBSM T-SBEs on student learning.

Pilot Testing of Virtual Simulation-Based Experiences in an Oncology Nursing Seminar.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic challenged nurse educators to develop teaching strategies to engage students in a virtual classroom. This pilot study examined the effect of virtually delivered video-recorded (VDVR) simulation-based experiences (SBEs) with standardized participants on the management of clinical emergencies in patients and families affected by cancer on nursing student learning outcomes. METHOD: A pre- and posttest, one-group, convergent mixed-methods design with questionnaire variant was used. Data were collected before and after SBEs. RESULTS: Nineteen senior baccalaureate nursing students participated in this pilot study. The VDVR SBEs resulted in a significant increase in self-perceived competence. Participants had positive perceptions about the use of VDVR SBEs as a teaching strategy. Qualitative themes included realism, critical analysis, and preference for hands-on learning. CONCLUSION: The VDVR SBEs were well-received by prelicensure nursing students as a supplemental teaching strategy to enhance self-perceived competence. Additional research is needed about the effects of VDVR SBEs on learning outcomes. [J Nurs Educ. 2023;62(3):167-170.].

The Effects of a Simulation-Based Experience with Standardized Participants on Learning and Clinical Decision-Making Related to Nursing Management of Oncologic Emergencies.

Upon entry-to-practice, graduate nurses must be able to effectively manage oncologic emergencies to ensure best patient and family outcomes. Thus, nurse educators must develop active teaching strategies to prepare prelicensure nursing students with appropriate nursing oncology knowledge and skills. The purposes of this study were to determine the effect of simulation-based experiences (SBEs) with standardized participants (SPs) involving a patient and family member on baccalaureate nursing students' confidence and competence, anxiety and self-confidence with clinical decision-making, and satisfaction and self-confidence in learning using SBEs related to management of oncologic emergencies within a seminar-style course. A longitudinal, one-group, convergent mixed-methods design was used. Baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in a senior seminar participated in two SBEs. Study data were collected pre-seminar, pre-SBE, and post-SBE. Twenty-five senior nursing students participated in this study. There was a significant increase in students' confidence and self-perceived competence, and a significant decrease in anxiety and increase in self-confidence with clinical decision-making related to the nursing management of oncologic emergencies over time. All seven student groups in the hypercalcemia SBE, and five student groups in the hypersensitivity reaction SBE demonstrated objective competence. Qualitative themes identified included: realism, critical thinking, and benefits for professional practice. Study findings support the use of SBEs with SPs to enhance nursing students' confidence and competence, and to increase self-confidence and reduce anxiety with clinical decision-making related to the management of oncologic emergencies in a seminar-style course. The inclusion of a family member enhanced the realism of complex SBEs.

Standardized Patient Simulation in an Oncology Symptom Management Seminar-Style Course: Prelicensure Nursing Student Outcomes.

A critical role of the professional nurse is to manage symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments. Currently, prelicensure nursing curricula lack adequate oncology content and associated opportunities for clinical application. Thus, many graduate nurses do not possess the requisite knowledge and skills required to effectively manage cancer-related symptoms upon entry to practice. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of standardized patient simulation on nursing students' knowledge, confidence, and competence (objective and self-perceived) related to oncology evidence-based symptom management principles, and to determine nursing students' perceptions, satisfaction, and self-confidence with learning using standardized patient simulation in a seminar-style course. A longitudinal, one-group, convergent mixed-methods design with questionnaire variant was used. Data were collected at three time points: (T1) pre-seminar, (T2) pre-simulation, and (T3) post-simulation. A convenience sample of sixty-three senior baccalaureate nursing students in an oncology symptom management seminar participated in two standardized patient simulation scenarios. There was a significant increase in students' knowledge, confidence, and self-perceived competence over time with a large effect size. All student groups (n = 14) demonstrated objective competence in the colorectal cancer scenario and all participants, with the exception of one student group, demonstrated objective competence in the breast cancer scenario. Participants also reported positive perceptions of, a high level of satisfaction with, and self-confidence in learning with the standardized patient simulations. Qualitative themes identified included unique focus, realism, and application of knowledge. Standardized patient simulation holds promise to enhance nursing students' knowledge, confidence, and competence related to oncology evidence-based symptom management principles.