title: Simulation: a shared learning experience for child and mental health pre-registration nursing students.
abstract: Learning through the use of simulation is perceived as an innovative means to help manage some of the contemporary challenges for pre-registration nurse education. Mental health and child nurses need to have the knowledge and skills to effectively address the holistic needs of service users. This article reports on a pilot simulated learning experience that was designed with key stakeholders for pre-registration child and mental health nursing students. This involved young actors playing the role of someone who had self-harmed to help students develop their skills for working with young people who experience emotional distress. Focus groups and a questionnaire were used to evaluate the pilot. Students valued the practical approach that simulation entailed and identified the benefits of the shared learning experience across the different fields of practice of nursing. However, some students reported anxiety performing in front of peers and indicated they would perform differently in practice. The pilot identified simulation as a potentially useful approach to help child and mental health student nurses develop skills for caring for young people. However, there is a need for caution in the claims to be made regarding the impact of simulation to address gaps in nursing skills.
authors: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy, Institute for Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Innovation Park, Triumph Road, Nottingham NG7 2TU, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Anne.Felton@nottingham.ac.uk.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Felton
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Holliday
authors: Dawn
authors: D
authors: Ritchie
authors: Gill
authors: G
authors: Langmack
authors: Alistair
authors: A
authors: Conquer
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007858:Learning; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Mental health; Shared learning; Simulation; Young people