Preclinical simulation integrated into a nurse practitioner disease management course: Student perceptions and learning outcomes

Nurse practitioner (NP) educators have been tasked with incorporating simulation into preclinical curricula while pivoting to competency-based education. Despite evidence supporting simulation's role in preclinical health care education, limited scholarship has evaluated this educational method among NP students. We sought to evaluate student perceptions, learning satisfaction, and confidence after participation in an experientially designed, preclinical, simulation program and to compare levels of clinical communication self-efficacy and self-rated, clinical rotation preparedness before and after participation. The preclinical simulation program was designed, implemented, and evaluated within a disease management course. Students reported high levels of satisfaction and confidence with learning. Clinical communication self-efficacy (t[17] = 3.73, p < .01) and self-rated levels of clinical rotation preparedness (t[17] = -2.97, p < .01) were significantly higher after program participation. Simulation may be successfully implemented in preclinical disease management courses. Positive program evaluations create a foundation for further competency-based NP educational design using simulation. Faculty should consider implementing experientially designed preclinical simulation in NP programs to promote progression toward competency within the NP role and to encourage clinical readiness.