An evaluation of a complex simulated scenario with final year undergraduate children's nursing students.

The last decade has witnessed the emergence of simulation as a useful, but sometimes challenging teaching methodology. This is supported by a number of sources of evidence, which focus strongly upon student evaluation of the learning experience. The challenges are equally worth consideration. These include issues such as the commissioning of space, staff expertise in resourcing and creating a situation which is as close to real practice as possible. It is against this backdrop, following a number of years developing innovative clinical simulation at Cardiff University; children's nursing students were exposed to a complex simulated clinical shift. The activities included: managing the clinical area; the transfer of a sick child; managing a medication error; subsequent discussion with the parents; and prioritising and organising care. The use of role-play was utilised throughout, to create a realistic experience and the simulation activity took place in two settings to enable the transfer from one area to another. The simulation experience was undertaken at the end of the third year undergraduate program by three cohorts of students (n = 41). Following the experience, data were collected through a post-simulation de-briefing and a Likert style questionnaire, enabling the collection of qualitative and quantitative data concerned with the student's experience of the simulation. Overwhelmingly, the results showed that this was a positive experience for the students, demonstrating a number of perceived improvements in the application of their clinical skills. These included: development of specific management skills; enhanced confidence; development of self-awareness; and the transferability of skills to practice. Students also demonstrated strong agreement in terms of the realism of the experience.