Using learning outcomes to inform teaching practices in human patient simulation.

This evaluation research focused on methods for improving simulation instruction by determining if students' knowledge about simulation subject matter improved and was retained following a simulation experience. Using a pretest/posttest approach, NCLEX-style questions pertaining to the simulation subject matter content were administered to nursing students from two prelicensure nursing courses immediately preceding the simulation, immediately following the simulation, and then again at their final examinations. These findings have helped faculty determine when their simulation instruction is effective and have provided a guide for revising their simulation teaching. While this pretest/posttest method offers insight into student learning outcomes, it perhaps more importantly creates a systematic approach for evaluating simulation instruction.