Role Assignment in High Fidelity Patient Simulation and the Effects on Nursing Students’ Self-Efficacy Development

Abstract

Previous studies have evaluated the effectiveness of high fidelity patient simulators (HFPS) on nursing training. However, a gap exists on the effects of role assignment in multiple-student simulation scenarios. This study explored the effects of role assignment on self-efficacy development in baccalaureate-level nursing students. Using a researcher-developed tool, based upon a previously developed and utilized tool to fit the simulation scenario, the effects of role assignment were determined. Role assignment was found to have a significant effect on self-efficacy development. Furthermore, roles that require the participant to be more involved with the simulation scenario yielded more confident scores than roles that did not require the participant to be as involved. With this study, future multi-student simulation scenarios can be adjusted knowing the impact different roles can have on self-efficacy development.