HI I CARE: A mnemonic device to frame safe patient encounters and support simulation experiences for novice nursing students

Abstract

BackgroundRemembering the many safety behaviors and patient care activities expected during a patient encounter can be difficult for novice nursing students. The HI I CARE mnemonic device was created to assist novice nursing students to remember and organize key safety behaviors and patient care activities. Subsequently, the mnemonic device was drafted into a checklist to be used as a performance support tool for students’ first simulation experience. MethodsA survey was designed and administered to beginning nursing students to explore their perception if the HI I CARE mnemonic device helped to (1) reduce anxiety prior to simulation experiences; (2) plan, organize, and deliver care; and (3) integrate classroom learning into the simulated patient encounter. ResultsOverwhelmingly, participants agreed or strongly agreed that the HI I CARE mnemonic helped to achieve these goals. ConclusionThe HI I CARE mnemonic device and correlating checklists are effective performance support tools that can be used to help novice nursing students to recall key safety behaviors and organize patient care activities in the nursing skills laboratory and the simulation setting. This mnemonic device, as a performance support tool, offers associate degree nursing students the opportunity to develop optimal habits that exemplify the safe patient encounter.