Integration of simulation in an unfolding case study

Joint Event on 29^th International Conference on Pediatric Nursing & Healthcare & 31^st World Congress on Advanced Nursing Practice

August 16-17, 2018 | Madrid, Spain

Laura Ford

Thompson Rivers University, Canada

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Adv Practice Nurs

Abstract :

Health care needs have changed as have our practice of educating nurses. Nurses facing challenges of todayâ??s complex practice areas need to be highly skilled, well-educated, critical thinkers ready to take on complex clinical situations. In order to meet these needs, educators are incorporating innovative strategies and technologies to enhance student learning. Students, especially in first year, often having minimal experience in health care are challenged to make linkages between theory, client conditions, assessments and performing skills appropriately in practice (Day, 2011). In 2015, I utilized an unfolding clinical case study in a first-year fundamentals class designed to depict a â??familyâ??. As the semester, progressed students developed their family based on information provided and their understanding of assessment frameworks. This experience showed an enhanced student engagement, increased transferability to practice, knowledge synthesis and holistic care. This year I intend to further develop the unfolding case study and have students integrate their concept of family into the weekly simulation experiences. Students will utilize knowledge of their Family in a simulated clinical setting, scaffolding knowledge of the family membersâ?? condition, nursing process and skill acquisition. Simulation provides a platform where students can be engaging in a realistic activity, moving knowledge from the theoretical to the practical. A balance between lecture and experiential activities will allow students to utilize knowledge in a realistic environment (Onda, 2012). In this presentation, insights and feedback will illuminate a discussion supporting the use of this teaching strategy with health care students.

Biography :

Laura Ford has over 33 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse and completed her MN in 2007 from Athabasca University, Alberta, Canada. She served in the role of Nursing Resource Center Coordinator and was the inaugural Coordinator of the Interprofessional Simulation Center at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Canada. Currently Laura is a Senior Lecturer with the School of Nursing and a Faculty member for the Return to Registered Nursing program in TRU’s Open Learning Department.

E-mail: lford@tru.ca