Use of a computer simulation for the continuing education of registered nurses.

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the cognitive and affective gains from the use of a computerized cardiopulmonary arrest simulation. A convenience sample of 97 registered nurses completed assessment tools to measure knowledge about a caridiopulmonary arrest situation and their feelings of confidence regarding their ability to assume nursing roles during an arrest. These data were gathered before and after nurses went through the simulation individually. The posttreatment assessment tool also contained an adjective rating scale that measured the nurses' attitudes toward the simulation in five areas: practical value; emotional appeal; dullness; interest value; and difficulty. The results supported the hypotheses that the nurses' attitudes toward the simulation were favorable. The cardiopulmonary arrest simulation contributed to nurses' knowledge, as evidenced by the differences between the pretest and posttest scores. The simulation also appeared to increase the nurses' feelings of confidence.