Comparing the efficacy of single-skill and multiple-skill simulation scenarios in advancing clinical nursing competency.

AIM: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of single-skill and multiple skills patient care simulation scenarios in enhancing nursing competency and to evaluate nurses' perceptions of these different simulation scenarios.

METHODS: A mixed-method design was used. In the quantitative part, 130 newly hired nurses with less than one year of experience participated in this study. For the qualitative part, a subset of 26 of these nurses was selected for in-depth interviews until data saturation was achieved. The study was conducted in the simulation-based learning (SBL) lab in a specialized Jordan cancer center. Data collection took place between June 2022 and March 2023.

RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the IV skill between single and multiple skills scenarios; the mean score for the single-skill group was 44.42 (SD = 3.85), the mean score for the multiple-skill group was 45.63 (SD = 2.26) (P = 0.014). Moreover, a significant difference was found between the pre-and post-test scores for single-skill and multiple-skill groups. The mean score for the medication skill scenario pre-intervention single group was (M = 23.90, SD = 5.33); however, the score was increased post-intervention (M = 45.38, SD = 3.33), (P = <.001). Furthermore, the mean score was raised in the multiple skills medication scenario from (M = 22.92, SD = 5.44) to (M = 45.72, SD = 2.75), (<.001).

CONCLUSION: Participants in both groups reported similar findings regarding physical exhaustion, scenario management, and overall satisfaction with the simulation experience. Loss of concentration and memory was reported more with multiple competencies simulation scenarios; this might indicate that this scenario has more cognitive load than the Single Competency Scenario.