title: Effectiveness of a structured curriculum focused on recognition and response to acute patient deterioration in an undergraduate BSN program.
abstract: The study purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured education curriculum with simulation training in educating undergraduate Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) students to recognize and respond to patients experiencing acute deterioration as first responders. Researchers have demonstrated a lack of adequate clinical reasoning skills in new graduate nurses is a factor in critical patient incidents. A mixed methods design using a quasi-experimental, repeated measures and a descriptive, qualitative approach was used. A convenience sample of 48 BSN students was recruited. Statistically significant increases were shown in knowledge, self-confidence, and perceptions of teamwork. Six categories emerged from the qualitative data analysis: sources of knowledge, knowledge as a person, knowledge as a group, reasoning under pressure, feelings, real person versus simulation, and values. Nursing educators need to use innovative teaching strategies to ameliorate or even eliminate the theory-practice gap in nursing.
authors.affiliation: Kennesaw State University, WellStar School of Nursing, 1000 Chastain Road, MD #4102, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA. Electronic address: phart@kennesaw.edu.
authors.forename: Patricia L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.affiliation: Kennesaw State University, WellStar School of Nursing, 1000 Chastain Road, MD #4102, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA. Electronic address: jbrannan@kennsaw.edu.
authors.forename: Jane D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brannan
authors.affiliation: Kennesaw State University, WellStar School of Nursing, 1000 Chastain Road, MD #4102, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA. Electronic address: jlong@kennesaw.edu.
authors.forename: Janice M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Kennesaw State University, WellStar School of Nursing, 1000 Chastain Road, MD #4102, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA. Electronic address: mmaguir5@kennesaw.edu.
authors.forename: Mary Beth R
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.affiliation: Kennesaw State University, WellStar School of Nursing, 1000 Chastain Road, MD #4102, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA. Electronic address: bbrook38@kennesaw.edu.
authors.forename: Brian Keith
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: Kennesaw State University, WellStar School of Nursing, 1000 Chastain Road, MD #4102, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA. Electronic address: lrobley@kennesaw.edu.
authors.forename: Lois R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Robley
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000451:nursing*; D003479:Curriculum; D003657:Decision Making; D018450:Disease Progression; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016544:Patient Simulation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acute deterioration; Clinical skills; Curriculum; Simulation