Use of the Standardized Patient Simulation as an Adjunct to the Clinical Experience for Nursing Students: The Hampton University Perspective

Romero J

Published on: 2020-10-29

Abstract

With the increasing number of nursing programs in the Hampton Virginia area, the use of simulation training to develop nursing students’ clinical performance, is a way to overcome the limited number of clinical opportunities.  However, standard manikin-based simulation training did not provide for a realistic experience that could replicate acute care clinical scenarios.  With the introduction of a combined manikin and standardized patient clinical experience, the nursing student can experience a convincing training session that is realistic and replicable, in a safe environment. This article reports on the learning theories and rationales for use of the Manikin and Standardized Patient Simulation experience as an adjunct teaching and assessment tool.  Understanding the applicable learning theory related to simulation experiences for nursing students provides a guide to the learning process in integrating the higher level thinking required to successfully problem solve successfully in the acute care environments that new nurses find themselves.