Multi-patient Simulation: Growing Pains and Lessons Learned

Abstract : Delegation, prioritization, and supervision are necessary skills of the licensed registered nurse. Nursing students often do not have opportunities to practice these management skills in traditional clinical experiences or single patient simulation scenarios. Both the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and the American Nurses Association identify delegation as an essential skill. The NCLEX-RN test plan states 18% of the examination questions address the nurse’s role as manager of care. Yet students are rarely provided with many learning opportunities to independently practice management skills. An innovative, multi-patient simulation activity allows students the opportunity to practice prioritizing patient problems and delegating tasks to safely care for patients within a specified timeframe. A regional clinical simulation center piloted a face-to-face, muti-patient simulation activity with 20 associate degree nursing students. This activity was followed up with a virtual reality (VR) version of a multi-patient simulation. VR headsets were used to allow learners the opportunity to act independently in the metaverse hospital compared to a team approach in face-to-face simulation. More work is underway to improve the two types of multi-patient simulation activities in preparation for a formalized research study. The authors of this presentation would like to share the growing pains and lessons learned thus far with other simulation educators as they consider inclusion of technological advances such as virtual reality in their programs. The authors will inform others of both successes and pitfalls to avoid as educators travel the journey of growth when expanding simulation course offerings with virtual reality.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to participate in your session.: Participants will gain knowledge of the details to consider when planning a multi-patient simulation activity. This knowledge is not readily located in the published literature. This relaxed, less formal environment will allow for candid discussion of the pitfalls and successes of one simulation center's attempt to implement a multi-patient simulation activity that is sustainable and can be replicated while staying within budget constraints.