title: Advanced Practice Nursing Simulation for Neonatal Skill Competency: A Pilot Study for Successful Continuing Education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Skill readiness remains a challenge for all health care professionals who are involved in direct patient care. Researchers suggest that skill retention may decrease within 6 months of an educational session. The purpose of this study was to explore competency retention for high-risk, low-frequency procedures, specifically, managing a difficult airway and placing a laryngeal mask airway, using a web-based content refresher.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pilot study was conducted in two sessions. Session one established clinical skill competency. Six months later, the advanced practice RNs were randomized into two groups. Group 1 reviewed didactic content and participated in a complex airway management simulation. Group 2 participated only in a complex airway management simulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study showed a positive trend in maintaining competency for a low-frequency procedure for which complex airway management was given, using web-based content review. It is feasible to maintain competency for low-frequency procedures using web-based content refreshers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study benefited advanced practice nurses by providing them with the potential to maintain competency in this high-risk, low-frequency procedure. Continuing education is an important consideration for health care organizations.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: Zeynep
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Salih
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cullen
mesh_terms: D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing / Q000193:education*; D058109:Airway Management / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D020407:Internet; D015146:Midwestern United States; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010865:Pilot Projects