A Matter of Life and Death: End-of-Life Simulation to Develop Confidence in Nursing Students.

The use of simulation to provide end-of-life (EOL) education is a means to enhance self-efficacy levels among nursing students. The purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate self-efficacy levels of nursing students and recent graduate nurses following an EOL simulation experience. Data were obtained using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool developed by Medical Education Technologies, Inc.; 72 participants in three groups completed the study. Moderate to strong levels of confidence in providing EOL care were found following the simulation experience; observations by the researcher and unsolicited participant statements supported the findings. Results of the study support EOL simulation as an effective and sustainable teaching modality for enhancing self-efficacy levels when managing EOL events.