The Norwegian version of the nursing student mentors' competence instrument (MCI): A psychometric validation study.

Background: Nurse mentors require competence to mentor nursing students in clinical practice, including specific knowledge and skills. Evaluating mentor competence is crucial in developing and ensuring the high-quality mentoring of nursing students. The nursing student mentors' competence instrument is one of the few valid instruments for assessing the competence of nurses as mentors. Objectives: To translate the nursing student mentors' competence instrument into Norwegian and evaluate its psychometric properties. Design: The research employed a cross-sectional study design. Settings: Data were collected from nurse mentors at nursing homes, hospitals, home nursing care and mental health care units in Norway from 2021 to 2022. Participants: A total of 458 registered nurses with experience of mentoring nursing students participated in the study, of which data was used to conduct psychometric testing. Methods: The nursing student mentors' competence instrument was translated and evaluated in six steps: Forward translation, forward translation synthesis, backward translation, backward translation synthesis, cognitive debriefing and psychometric testing. The validity and reliability of the translated instrument were investigated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach's alpha. Results: The translated instrument showed acceptability. The CFA goodness-of-fit indices showed acceptable model fit (χ2/df = 2.547, SRMR = 0.051, CFI = 0.919, RMSEA = 0.058), and the Cronbach's alpha values for the instrument's subscales ranged from 0.77 to 0.95. Conclusions: The Norwegian version of the nursing student mentors' competence instrument shows potential as a useful instrument for assessing current and required competencies of nurse mentors in clinical practice in nursing education.

Postgraduate nursing students' experiences with simulation-based learning in palliative care education: A qualitative study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore postgraduate palliative care nursing students' experiences with simulation-based learning focusing on communication skills, as a learning method in palliative care education. BACKGROUND: Communication is one of several important competencies in palliative care and found to be challenging. Developing appropriate communication skills in palliative care requires education and practice. To provide postgraduate palliative care nursing students with the required knowledge and experience, practical and active learning approaches, such as simulation-based learning, can be applied. Several studies have explored undergraduate nursing students' experiences with simulation-based learning in palliative care. However, to our knowledge no studies have explored postgraduate palliative care nursing students` experiences with simulation-based learning focusing on communication skills in palliative care education. DESIGN: An exploratory descriptive design. METHODS: A qualitative method was employed. Three focus group interviews were conducted in May 2022 using videoconferencing (Zoom) with 11 postgraduate palliative care nursing students, eight of whom wrote reflective notes. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation. RESULTS: Three categories were identified in the data analysis: 1) from uncertain expectations to the real experience of simulation-based learning; 2) being a skilled professional in everyday life versus being observed in the scenarios; and 3) the balance between self-confidence and challenges in experiencing professional development and mastery. CONCLUSIONS: Postgraduate palliative care nursing students seemed to experience anxiety towards simulation-based learning in palliative care education, as well as variable expectations for the approach. This could be due to their unfamiliarity with the learning method. The need for repetition was underlined and the students indicated that they would like to be able to participate in several simulation sessions to familiarise themselves with the approach. The contrast between being a skilled professional in everyday life and the pressure of being observed and judged in the scenarios was an important finding. Students outlined the desire to feel safe, but also highlighted the importance of being challenged to experience professional development and enhanced mastery. Generally, the findings indicate that academic and psychological safety should be a focus during simulation-based learning and instructors should understand that students may have varied learning strategies, divergent learning experiences and shifting beliefs in their own competencies.

Simulation-based learning in palliative care in postgraduate nursing education: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Nurses require advanced competence in palliative care, but they face wide variations in education and a shortage in opportunities for clinical placement. Simulation-based learning (SBL) can enable students to develop clinical skills, critical thinking and confidence. No scoping reviews to date have mapped the use of SBL in palliative care within postgraduate nursing education. METHODS: The aim of this scoping review was to systematically map published studies on the use of SBL in palliative care in postgraduate nursing education. A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's (Int J Soc Res Meth 8(1):19-32, 2005) methodological framework. A systematic and comprehensive search of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine and PsycINFO was performed for studies published between January 2000 and April 2022. Two authors independently assessed papers for inclusion and extracted data. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. The protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework. RESULTS: This review includes 10 studies. Three thematic groupings were identified: enhanced understanding of the importance of teamwork, interdisciplinarity and interpersonal skills; preparedness and confidence in one's ability to communicate during emotionally challenging situations; and impact and relevance to one's own clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SBL in palliative care in postgraduate nursing education seems to enhance students' understanding of the importance of teamwork and interdisciplinarity. The review shows contradictory results regarding whether SBL in palliative care increases students' confidence in their communication skills. Postgraduate nursing students experienced personal growth after participating in SBL. Because our findings indicate that limited research has been conducted within this field, future research should (1) explore postgraduate nursing students' experiences with SBL in palliative care with a focus on more practical content such as symptom management, (2) examine the relevance and application of SBL in clinical practice, and (3) be reported in line with recommendations on the reporting of simulation research.

Simulation-Based Learning Supported by Technology to Enhance Critical Thinking in Nursing Students: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Critical thinking is a crucial skill in the nursing profession, so teaching strategies and methodology must be carefully considered when training and preparing nursing students to think critically. Studies on simulation-based learning supported by technology are increasing in nursing education, but no scoping reviews have mapped the literature on simulation-based learning supported by technology to enhance critical thinking in nursing students. OBJECTIVE: The proposed scoping review aims to systematically map research on the use of simulation-based learning supported by technology to enhance critical thinking in nursing students. METHODS: The proposed scoping review will use the framework established by Arksey and O'Malley and will be reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) extension for scoping reviews. A systematic, comprehensive literature search was performed in the LILACS, ERIC, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases. Pairs of authors independently selected the articles by screening titles, abstracts, full-text papers, and extract data. The data will be analyzed and thematically categorized. RESULTS: The development of a comprehensive and systematic search strategy was completed in June 2021. The database searches were performed in July 2021, and the screening of titles and abstracts was completed in September 2021. Charting the data began in February 2022. Analysis and synthesis will be performed sequentially, and the scoping review is expected to be complete by May 2023. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this proposed scoping review may identify gaps in the literature and provide an overview of research on the topic of simulation-based learning supported by technology to enhance critical thinking in nursing students. The research may identify nursing students' reported barriers and enablers for learning critical thinking skills through simulation-based learning supported by technology, and the results may help educators enhance their educational approach through knowledge of students' firsthand experiences and further development of successful teaching strategies in nursing education. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/36725.

Integrating simulation training during clinical practice in nursing homes: an experimental study of nursing students' knowledge acquisition, self-efficacy and learning needs.

BACKGROUND: Limited access to supervision, feedback and quality learning experiences pose challenges to learning in the clinical setting for first-year nursing students who are beginning their clinical experiences. Prior studies have indicated that simulation training, as a partial replacement of clinical practice hours, may improve learning. However, there has been little research on simulation training integrated as a partial replacement during first-year students' clinical practice in nursing homes. The primary aim of this study was to examine first-year nursing students' knowledge acquisition and self-efficacy in integrating a partial replacement of clinical hours in nursing homes with simulation training. Its secondary aim was to examine perceptions of how learning needs were met in the simulated environment compared with the clinical environment. DESIGN: The primary aim was addressed using an experimental design that included pre- and post-tests. The secondary aim was investigated using a descriptive survey-based comparison. METHODS: First-year students at a Norwegian university college (n = 116) were asked to participate. Those who agreed (n = 103) were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 52) or the control group (n = 51). A knowledge test, the General Self-efficacy Scale and the Clinical Learning Environment Comparison Survey were used to measure students' outcomes and perceptions. The data were analysed using independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests and paired samples t-tests. RESULTS: Knowledge scores from pre- to post-tests were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group with a medium to large effect size (p < 0.01, Hedges' g = 0.6). No significant differences in self-efficacy were identified. Significant differences (p <  0.05) were observed between the simulated and the clinical environment with regard to meeting learning needs; effect sizes ranged from small and medium to large (Cohen's d from 0.3 to 1.0). CONCLUSION: Integrating the partial replacement of clinical hours in nursing homes with simulation training for first-year nursing students was positively associated with knowledge acquisition and meeting learning needs. These findings are promising with regard to simulation as a viable partial replacement for traditional clinical practice in nursing homes to improve learning.

Psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the clinical learning environment comparison survey.

AIM: To translate The Clinical Learning Environment Comparison Survey (CLECS) into Norwegian and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey including a longitudinal component. METHODS: The CLECS was translated into Norwegian following the World Health Organization guidelines, including forward translation, expert panel, back-translation, pre-testing and cognitive interviewing. Nursing students at a Norwegian university college were invited to participate in the study (psychometrical testing) based on informed consent. Reliability and validity of the translated version of CLECS were investigated using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach's alpha and test-retest analysis. RESULTS: A total of 122 nursing students completed the questionnaire and Cronbach alphas for the CLECS subscales ranged from 0.69 to 0.89. CFA goodness-of-fit indices (χ2 /df = 1.409, CFI = 0.915, RMSEA = 0.058) showed acceptable model fit. Test-retest ICC ranged from 0.55 to 0.75, except for two subscales with values below 0.5.

Supplementing Clinical Practice in Nursing Homes With Simulation Training: A Qualitative Study of Nursing Students' Experiences.

INTRODUCTION: Limited access to nurse supervisors, insufficient learning support and staff with high workloads are well documented in the research literature as barriers to nursing students´ learning in clinical practice in nursing homes. Due to these barriers nursing students may benefit from additional learning support from nurse educators during their clinical practice period. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore nursing students' experiences of supplementary simulation training as a tool to support learning during clinical practice in nursing homes. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Twenty-seven first-year nursing students from a university college in Norway were interviewed after attending a seven-week practice period in nursing homes with supplementary simulation training. Three semi-structured focus group interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using systematic text condensation. FINDINGS: Three categories of student experiences were identified: enhancing the reasoning behind care, transferring knowledge and experiences between the learning environments and enhancing the sense of mastery. CONCLUSION: The supplementary simulation training seemed to complement clinical practice by consolidating the students' learning during the clinical practice period, enhance the students' motivation and sense of mastery, and consequently their efforts to seek out new challenges, explore and learn both in the clinical and the simulated environment.

Elements in scenario-based simulation associated with nursing students' self-confidence and satisfaction: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: To identify elements in scenario-based simulation associated with nursing students' satisfaction with the simulation activity and self-confidence in managing the simulated patient situation. The study will provide insight to improve the use of simulation as a learning strategy. Design: A cross-sectional study. Method: The Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning scale was used as the outcome measure to identify associations with elements of the Simulation Design Scale and the Educational Practices Questionnaire scale after scenario-based simulation using patient simulators. First-year nursing students at a university college in Norway (N = 202) were invited to participate and (N = 187) responded to the questionnaires. Results: The mean scores for self-confidence and satisfaction were 4.16 and 4.57, respectively. In the final multiple linear regression analysis, active learning was associated with satisfaction with the simulation activity, while clear objectives and active learning were associated with self-confidence in managing the simulated patient situation.