title: Effectiveness of Integrated Simulation and Clinical Experiences Compared to Traditional Clinical Experiences for Nursing Students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The focus of this research study was the evaluation of the effectiveness of using high-fidelity simulations to replace 50 percent of traditional clinical experiences in obstetrics, pediatrics, critical care, and mental health nursing.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Increasing student admissions to nursing programs require additional clinical learning opportunities to accommodate extra students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three schools with associate degree nursing programs partnered to identify, implement, and evaluate a creative solution to this dilemma. The resulting quasi-experimental study investigated if substituting half of the conventional clinical experiences with simulations was as effective as traditional clinical activities in obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, and critical care. One hour of simulation counted for two hours of clinical time. RESULTS Findings indicated combining simulations with conventional clinical experiences resulted in significantly higher scores on the pre-graduation exit exam than traditional clinical experiences alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings have implications for articulation and basic students in associate degree nursing programs.
authors.forename: Eileen D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Curl
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Le
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ann Chisholm
authors.forename: Leah Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: McGee
authors.forename: Kumar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000193:education; D004507:Education, Nursing, Associate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000193:education; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000379:methods*; D013338:Students, Nursing