Opinions and Experiences of Nursing Students About the High-Fidelity Simulation: A Multicentric Multi-method Sequential Study

In Italy, there is a growing interest in high-fidelity simulation (HFS) applied to nursing education; however, available evidence does not report the nursing student point of view. A multicentric multi-method sequential study was conducted in two Central-Italy universities during 2020. A 19-item semi-structured questionnaire and a face-to-face guided interview were used for quantitative and qualitative data collection, respectively. Students experienced difficulties in approaching critically ill patients and integrating teamwork. They also experienced emotional difficulties and lack of self-confidence. Students believed the HFS is a method to enhance learning about critical care when added to clinical placement. Data triangulation highlighted common opinions and experiences among students while attending clinical training in critical settings. Their lack of practical skills and emotional turbulences resulted in a challenged learning preventing an easy integration in teamwork. Student perceived HFS as an opportunity to repeatedly act in a safe environment without any risk for patients. In addition, students could have the opportunity to learn how to manage their emotional load, enhance their self-confidence, and function better as a productive member of the teamwork. The difficulties experienced by nursing students while attending their critical care clinical placement sound as a call for action to offer them better opportunities to learn, reinforcing traditional teaching methods and integrating new technologies such as HFS. In the near future, an increased use of this method is expected to improve learning experiences of nursing students and offer better quality in nursing care to critically ill patients.