Simulation-enhanced pediatric clinical orientation.

Nursing actively engages various technologies to enhance education and training with increased learner confidence and patient safety. Simulation is a key technology to address the strain on the current nursing education system. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of simulation-enhanced orientation on pediatric acute care examination scores and pediatric clinical course grades among junior-level baccalaureate nursing students. No significant difference between groups (p < 0.05) was detected for the students' examination scores. Clinical grades of the intervention group (mean = 3.7) were significantly higher (t[75.3] = 5.2, p < 0.001) than those of the control group (mean = 3.4). These results support the expansion of simulation in the curriculum and prompt the proposal of simulation as an appropriate substitution for portions of pediatric clinical experience. Given the strain on the current nursing education system, simulation will be a critical component of nursing education in the future. Copyright 2011, SLACK Incorporated.