Preparing nursing students for home health using an escape room: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: As healthcare continues to shift from hospitals to community settings, it is vital to prepare nursing students for community-based care, including home health. DESIGN AND OBJECTIVES: This exploratory descriptive qualitative study examined students' experiences with a home health escape room and their perceptions of how the experience affected their learning. METHODS: To escape the simulated apartment residence, student teams solved three challenges related to fall risks, food insecurity, and polypharmacy. Sixteen baccalaureate nursing students participated in focus groups and thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: Being in the home and taking it all in; Elements that maximized thinking; Practicing and reflecting on teamwork; and Using lessons learned. CONCLUSIONS: Simulated escape rooms offer a unique way to provide experiential learning to prepare students for home health clinical experiences.

Underrepresentation of Racial Diversity in Simulation: An International Study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to: 1) examine the presence of racial diversity in simulation centers globally and 2) determine the opinion of the simulation community related to incorporation of a diversity component into international simulation standards. BACKGROUND: Leading organizations in nursing education recommend improved efforts toward diversity and inclusion. Research suggests a lack of diversity in simulation-based education. METHOD: This study employed a mixed-methods design. RESULTS: Quantitative results demonstrated an underrepresentation of racial diversity in manikins, body parts/task trainers, standardized patients, and simulation facilitators. Two thirds of respondents indicated that international simulation standards should recommend a diversity component. Qualitative findings indicated categories of: 1) challenges of purchasing, realism, and availability; 2) importance of diversity in simulation; 3) representation of the regional population; 4) more diversity considerations needed; and 5) presence of diversity. CONCLUSION: There is a continued need for diversity advocacy efforts in nursing education.