Development of a simulation placement in a pre-registration nursing programme.

Abstract

A 4-week simulation placement for first-year student nurses using an innovative blended approach was developed and delivered in one university. This was the first tariff-funded simulation placement in the UK for student nurses. To describe how this flexible simulation placement was developed, operated and adapted due to COVID-19 while exploring the student nurses' experiences and preparedness for practice. An anonymous online survey was undertaken and a placement evaluation was completed and compared with traditional clinical placement evaluations by previous students at the same point in their studies. Students were as satisfied with the simulation placement as students who had attended real practice placements: 92% of students were satisfied with their simulated placement experience and 92% felt prepared for practice. This simulated placement has been an acceptable replacement for traditional practice placements, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.