Development and evaluation of a clinical simulation for new graduate nurses: A multi-site pilot study.

BACKGROUND: New nursing graduates have revealed that they perceive a gap between theory and practice with reference to their education and the real workplace setting. Additionally, many nurses experience a reality shock when they participate in clinical practice.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and test the effects of a scenario-based simulation training program on new graduate nurses' competency, critical thinking dispositions, and interpersonal communication skills.

METHOD: This pilot multi-site study used a pretest-posttest control group design. It was conducted at four sites of a university-affiliated simulation center in Korea. Participants were recruited utilizing a convenience sample from four tertiary hospitals in Korea. Twenty-four new graduate nurses participated in this study.

RESULTS: At the three-month follow-up, the levels of communication skills used in practice among the intervention group were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group participants (U=151.50, p=.005). However, there were no significant differences between the groups in changes in nursing competency (U=287.50, p=.992) or critical thinking disposition scores (U=269.50, p=.702). The participants' mean rating scores concerning the objectives, intentions, and recommendations for other nurses were positive and high.

CONCLUSION: The involvement of current practicing of nursing in certain scenarios and the implementation of simulation learning could enhance the readiness of new graduate nurses.