The Effect of Preventable Harm Simulation on Entry-Level Nurses' Clinical Judgment

Abstract

Beginning nurses face challenges such as increased care complexities, an aging patient population, and the knowledge-to-practice gap, resulting in practice errors. The project used preventable harm simulation scenarios, using the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric to evaluate clinical judgment behaviors in pre- and postsimulation exercises and a 30-minute facilitator-led group discussion. Eighty-two percent of the LCJR scores increased from the presimulation (mean 25.86; SD 3.93) to postsimulation (mean 30.59; SD 4.58). The evaluation noted 90% of the nurses indicated the project was extremely helpful in facilitating clinical judgment. It is essential to interpret these results cautiously due to the small sample size.