Use of Simulation for Nursing Education

As technologies become more realistic, the role of simulation in nursing education is becoming more prevalent. While simulation cannot replace human patient interaction, it does offer benefits to the student. For example, a student on rotation might not come in contact with a laboring mother or a mentally ill patient. Also, students who live in rural areas, far from metropolitan teaching hospitals can learn to handle a wide range of illnesses using simulation. Three of the most promising types of simulations used in nursing programs are introduced below.

Screen-Based/PC-Based Simulation

• Screen-based or PC-based simulations are human computer interactions that allow students to experience a variety of medical skills and procedures. This is best used with entry-level students. They can practice with basic skills at their own pace. The cost is relatively inexpensive--a computer and a CD. However the simulation is low fidelity, meaning not very lifelike. It should not take the place of more realistic simulations or patient-student interactions.

Task Trainer

• Task trainers are mechanical parts of the anatomy that simulate an individual skill. For example, an adult arm with an electronic trainer is used to teach nursing students how to take a person's blood pressure. According to Laerdal Medical's website, "Task trainers allow for repeated practice of individual skills while developing competency and confidence." Another advantage to using the task trainer is its relatively low cost. The disadvantage is that these trainers are low fidelity, so they should be used with beginning students. Just as the PC-based simulation should not replace patient-student interaction, so it is with the task trainers.

Human Patient Simulator

• The highest fidelity simulation is a full-bodied human patient simulator. The Georgetown University Simulator (GUS) is one such machine. According to critical care educator Carol A. Rauen, "Drug administration can be simulated, and with the use of the drug recognition unit, the simulator will respond physiologically." For example, an injection can change the mannequin's respiratory and heart rate as well as its blood pressure. Because of its realistic patient functioning, human patient simulators can be used as a substitute for human interaction in some cases to augment the student's core human interaction. The disadvantages of this simulation are the cost--$300,000 or more--and the availability of faculty trained in using the simulator.

Conclusion

• Simulation is a viable way to teach many nursing skills and procedures. Low fidelity simulation can be used to teach basic skills to lower-level students. High fidelity simulation can be used with upper-level and graduate students to augment their patient-student interactions.