Sources of nursing student anxiety during simulation activities

Major healthcare and accrediting bodies are calling for reform and innovation in nursing education. Implementation of new or popular strategies should not ignore that some methodologies may generate a level of anxiety in individual students that hinders learning and attainment of course outcomes. Simulation activities in particular may generate a level of anxiety in students that inhibits learning.

This presentation will describe the results of an exploratory, sequential, mixed-methods study that explored the amount and sources of nursing student anxiety associated with simulation learning activities. The Westside Simulation Anxiety Survey and Elements of Simulation Tool were used to describe the amount and causes of anxiety for the study population. Findings of this study reveal that simulation produces a high normal level of anxiety for learners and the level of anxiety did not change from first and final semesters in the nursing program although sources of anxiety do change. Extremely high levels of anxiety were associated with being assigned the primary nurse title or role. Summary recommendations to address student anxiety during simulation support theInternational Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Standards. Because the time and resources needed for simulation activities can be significant, it is imperative that faculty understand the processes that can both positively and negatively impact learning with this learning strategy.

Biography:
Jean Yockey is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of South Dakota, USA. She received a PhD in Nursing Education from the University of Northern Colorado with her research focused on simulation, a Masterʼs of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) from Idaho State University, a Bachelorʼs Degree in Nursing from Lewis & Clark State College, Idaho and an Associate Degree of Nursing from Brigham Young University, Utah. Her research interests include determinants of nursing student learning success and simulation.