Abstract:

Research suggests a standardized healthcare simulation curriculum positively impacts students’ clinical learning and readiness for practice (Beroz, 2017; Hayden, et al., 2014). Montana State University-Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing (MRJCON), a land-grant university, developed a standardized clinical simulation curriculum three years ago to prepare students for clinical practice and reduce reliance on clinical placements. MRJCON has five campuses across the state and is considered predominantly rural and frontier. The MRJCON graduates approximately 300 BSN or ABSN students annually.

Using Jeffries Simulation Theory (Jeffries, 2015; Jeffries, Rodgers, & Adamson (2020), a task force of leadership, content experts, and stakeholders, MRJCON developed a medical simulation curriculum reflective of Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (HSSBP) consisting of 28 simulation-based experiences (SBE) delivered over four semesters (BSN) or three semesters (ABSN). All students receive 120 hours of dedicated, in-person SBE on each campus. The simulation program includes embedding simulated patients or companions using trained actors. Learning is facilitated by a dedicated Simulation Team Leader (STL) on each campus who has completed the Harvard Center for Medical Simulation Healthcare Simulation Essentials: Design and Debriefing.

Student perceptions of learning are assessed using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M) (Leighton, 2015). 98% of students report that simulation is helpful to their clinical reasoning and prepares them for clinical practice. The STLs meet regularly to ensure consistency in simulation scenarios and manage challenges. The MRJCON has successfully integrated a standardized simulation curriculum across five campuses and two programs with positive outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify strategies to create a standardized healthcare simulation curriculum across multiple campuses
2. Describe two benefits of a standardized clinical simulation curriculum.
3. Describe the benefit of standardized healthcare professional development when using a standardized nursing simulation curriculum format across multiple simulation programs.