Perceived benefits of pre-clinical simulation-based training on clinical learning outcomes among Omani undergraduate nursing students

Abstract EN

Objectives : This study aimed to explore the benefits perceived by Omani undergraduate maternity nursing students regarding the effect of pre-clinical simulation-based training (PSBT) on clinical learning outcomes.

Methods : This non-experimental quantitative survey was conducted between August and December 2012 among third-year baccalaureate nursing students at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman.

Voluntary participants were exposed to faculty-guided PSBT sessions using low-and medium-fidelity manikins, standardised scenarios and skill checklists on antenatal, intranatal, postnatal and newborn care and assessment.

Participants answered a purposely designed self-administered questionnaire on the benefits of PSBT in enhancing learning outcomes.

Items were categorised into six subscales : knowledge, skills, patient safety, academic safety, confidence and satisfaction.

Scores were rated on a four-point Likert scale.

Results : Of the 57 participants, the majority (95.2 %) agreed that PSBT enhanced their knowledge.

Most students (94.3 %) felt that their patient safety practices improved and 86.5 % rated PSBT as beneficial for enhancing skill competencies.

All male students and 97 % of the female students agreed that PSBT enhanced their confidence in the safe holding of newborns.

Moreover, 93 % of participants were satisfied with PSBT.

Conclusion : Omani undergraduate nursing students perceived that PSBT enhanced their knowledge, skills, patient safety practices and confidence levels in providing maternity care.

These findings support the use of simulation training as a strategy to facilitate clinical learning outcomes in future nursing courses in Oman, although further research is needed to explore the objective impact of PSBT on learning outcomes.