Use of scenario-based activities for learning and confidence in accelerated bachelor nursing students in acute settings

Main Article Content

Emily J. Elliott
Jenny Firkins

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a unique, case based, learning activity,


Background: There is a great call and demand for nurse educators to prepare practice ready nurses who display critical thinking and clinical judgement. Improved critical thinking and clinical judgement have been demonstrated from case study-based learning. Along with case studies, gamification has been demonstrated to be an effective learning strategy not only in nurse education, but in other high-risk professions. In our study we combined case studies and gamification to create a new, scenario-based learning activity.


Design: This qualitative study used forums to elicit the student’s experience with the learning activity.


Methods: Choose your own Pathway (CYOP) allow students to make clinical decisions in a safe, structured environment and to experience the consequences of those clinical decisions. Accelerated Undergraduate students were given three mega CYOPs based in PowerPoint corresponding to three didactic theory units. CYOPs provide students with clinical data and allowed them to make decisions based on this information and to experience the consequences of those decisions. Upon completion of these activities, students were asked to participate in a forum to discuss their experience with the CYOPs.


Results: After analysis, three main themes, with two subthemes, were identified: (1) the CYOP’s engaged students thinking and led to use of clinical judgement through realism and prioritization of nursing decisions, (2) the CYOP’s interactive engagement facilitated knowledge application through adaptive learning not memorization, and (3) the CYOPs technology design interfered with learning. Theme 1 subthemes included (1) interaction variety and (2) putting pieces together.


Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the potential for the CYOP learning activity to promote critical thinking and clinical judgement by placing students in the role of the nurse in simulated real-world scenarios. CYOPs are an innovative approach to enhance students learning and positively impact their readiness for the clinical setting.

Article Details

How to Cite
Use of scenario-based activities for learning and confidence in accelerated bachelor nursing students in acute settings. (2024). International Journal of Nursing Education, 16(4), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.37506/ps1p9p93
Section
Original Article
Author Biographies

Emily J. Elliott , Oregon Health & Science University  School of Nursing  3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Road  Portland

Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing (Drs Elliott and Firkins) Oregon Health & Science University 

School of Nursing  3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Road  Portland OR 97239 

United States 

Jenny Firkins, Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing 3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Road Portland .

Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing (Drs Elliott and Firkins) Oregon Health & Science University 

School of Nursing  3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Road  Portland OR 97239  United States 

How to Cite

Use of scenario-based activities for learning and confidence in accelerated bachelor nursing students in acute settings. (2024). International Journal of Nursing Education, 16(4), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.37506/ps1p9p93

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