Reducing Nurse Anesthesia Student Anxiety by Aligning a University-Based Simulation Program With Best Practices: A Quality Improvement Project

Abstract

BackgroundThe negative impact of high levels of anxiety on learning outcomes is well established. Clinical simulation is an essential element of nurse anesthesia training that can produce anxiety and stress, ultimately impacting effective learning. Despite emerging evidence surrounding optimizing simulation experiences, gaps remain regarding methods and interventions to reduce student anxiety as it relates to simulation experiences. This quality improvement project explored the impact of aligning a nurse anesthesia simulation program with simulation standards of best practice, and the influence of this transition on student learning experiences and perceptions of anxiety. MethodsThe transition was assessed using a pretest-posttest design. Prior to the transition, 39 student nurse anesthetists completed a pretest regarding prebriefing, scenario design, and debriefing up to the time of implementation. After three months of the updated simulation format, 37 participants completed a postimplementation survey. ResultsThe data demonstrate statistically significant improvement in all assessed areas. ConclusionThis simulation best practice-based initiative improved student experiences by reducing anxiety and offers a guide to simulation programs seeking to make similar adjustments.