title: Learning clinical skills in the simulation suite: the lived experiences of student nurses involved in peer teaching and peer assessment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The benefits of peer teaching and assessment are well documented within nurse education literature. However, research to date has predominantly focused on the advantages and disadvantages for the inexperienced learner, with a dearth of knowledge relating to the perceptions of senior nursing students involved in teaching their peers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to investigate the student experience of taking part in a peer teaching and assessment initiative to include the perceptions of both first year nursing students and second/third year participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected via open-ended questionnaires and analysed with qualitative 'Framework' analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This initiative received a generally positive response both from students being taught and also from those acting as facilitators. Perceived benefits included the social learning experience, development of teaching skills, self-awareness and the opportunity to communicate both good and bad news. Suggestions for improvement included additional time working in small groups, specific supplementary learning materials and the introduction of peer teaching and assessment into other areas of the Adult Nursing Programme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peer teaching and assessment principles represent valuable strategies which can be utilised in nurse education to develop clinical skills and prepare nurses for real-life scenarios. Further research needs to investigate how to enhance the student learning experience and to fully exploit the potential for simulated experience to prepare students for their future role as registered nurses in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Brayford Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom. Electronic address: dramm@lincoln.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ramm
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Brayford Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom. Electronic address: athomson@lincoln.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Brayford Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom. Electronic address: A.Jackson1@uni.bsms.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008611:Mentors; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D000066908:Simulation Training; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching
keywords: Clinical skills; Experiential learning; Peer assessment; Peer teaching; Simulation; Student nurse education