title: Online intravenous pump emulator: As effective as face-to-face simulation for training nursing students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The expansion of online education for nursing students has created the challenge of finding innovative ways to teach clinical skills. An online intravenous pump emulator (IVPE) modelled on actual IV pumps used in clinical healthcare settings was developed to facilitate online education delivery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of the study were to implement the online IVPE and evaluate student learning outcomes and perceptions of device use.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed method, quasi-experimental design was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at a regional university in Queensland, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 179 first year nursing students enrolled in a medications course, ranging in age from 18 to 44years, of whom 150 were female.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were assigned to one of three groups and trained in the use of IV infusion pumps. Group 1 (n=57) were trained online using the IVPE (ONL); Group 2 (n=73) were trained on-campus using an actual IV pump (ONC); Group 3 (n=49) were trained both on-campus using the actual IV pump and online using the IVPE (ONL+ONC). Competence in using the actual IV pump was assessed for all participants at the conclusion of the training period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in learning outcomes, measured by assessment scores out of 80 points, were found between the ONL (M=65.5±9.2) and ONC (M=62.0±14.8; p>.05) groups. Significantly better learning outcomes were evident for the ONL+ONC group (M=68.7±4.9) compared to the ONC group (p<.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights that the nursing students became more competent in the skill of preparing and administrating IV infusions when face-to-face and online learning were combined.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia. Electronic address: Victoria.terry@usq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Victoria R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Terry
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia.
authors.forename: Clint
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moloney
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bowtell
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Terry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000379:methods*; D013338:Students, Nursing
keywords: Blended learning; Clinical; Emulation; Intravenous; Nursing students; Simulation; Technology