Major Article
Cynthia Ann Blum, PhD, RN, CNE; Dax Andrew Parcells, MA
- Journal of Nursing Education
- August 2012 - Volume 51 · Issue 8: 429-435
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DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20120523-01
Abstract
Advances in nursing simulation technology raise the question “Are educators feeling pressure to accommodate the learning styles of the techno-age studentry?” This integrative review evaluates the current quantitative evidence from preintervention–postintervention and control–experimental research studies related to the use of simulation in prelicensure nursing education directed at enhancing safety in nursing practice. A thorough review of the available literature using truncated search terms in several databases yielded 258 scholarly, peer-reviewed articles, of which 18 articles directly addressed the posed research question related to simulation and safety. Replete with student reports of simulation as an enjoyable learning activity, the literature does not yet support simulation over other approaches to the teaching–learning of safety competencies in nursing. Therefore, nurse educators must continue to select the most appropriate methods based on the specific course, student, or program type, with concentrated focus on competency-based safety education in nursing.
Dr. Blum is Assistant Professor, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton; and Mr. Parcells is an Independent Research Consultant and Educator at Matlock Pre-Collegiate Academy, West Palm Beach, Florida.
The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Address correspondence to Cynthia Ann Blum, PhD, RN, CNE, Assistant Professor, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Bldg 84, Office 348, Boca Raton, FL 33431; e-mail: cblum@fau.edu.
Received: August 17, 2011
Accepted: March 14, 2012
Posted Online: May 23, 2012
doi: 10.3928/01484834-20120523-01