Clinical simulation in cognitive performance, satisfaction and self-confidence in learning: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the cognitive knowledge, satisfaction and self-confidence of nursing students based on simulation use in teaching nursing consultation in community nursing vaccination. Methods: An intervention and quantitative study comprised in two phases. A quasi-experimental design of a control group not equivalent to the pre- and post-test type was used. All ethical aspects have been respected. The final sample consisted of 94 Portuguese nursing students. They were allocated into two groups: control and experimental. The control group had access to a traditional skill class. The experimental group participated in a simulation session with two cases. In addition to the sociodemographic characterization, the students answered a pre- and post-test to measure cognitive performance. Moreover, satisfaction and self-confidence in learning scale was applied. A significance level of 5% was adopted. Results: Of the 94 students, 95.7% were female, 91.5% were aged between 18 and 20 years, 98.9% were single and 94.7% were unemployed. From the clinical simulation, students learn more when compared to students who participated in the traditional strategy (p value = 0.000). Furthermore, clinical simulation promotes satisfaction among students. Conclusion: Since it is a teaching and learning strategy that allows a better cognitive performance, and because it generates satisfaction among students, clinical simulation can be pointed out as a potential strategy for teaching in community nursing.