After-Hours/On-Call Simulation in Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Education

Abstract

BackgroundProviding after-hours/on-call patient triage and management services is an expected responsibility for nurse practitioners (NPs). Opportunity to facilitate clinical practicum experience which includes this independent patient-management skill is uncommon in NP programs. Literature describing simulation in primary care NP education is limited. MethodOne-year postgraduation surveys were sent to participants to assess the effect of the simulation on participant employment selection. Primary care NP students across three patient populations, adult/geriatric, family, and pediatrics, comprise the single-school cohort of participants (N = 29). ResultsAfter-hours/on-call duties were identified as a requirement of their current NP role in 47% of participants; 14% specifically avoided a position with an after-hours/on-call component. ConclusionsThe after-hours/on-call simulation allows NP students to gain valuable experience with independent decision-making in a safe environment laden with unpredictability and the need for critical thinking.