Effects of Experiential Learning Simulation-Based Learning Program on Clinical Judgment Among Obstetric Nursing Students

Abstract

Background

Obstetric nursing students have less opportunity to practice due to limited clinical placement sites and safety concerns, which leads to inadequate clinical judgment. Previous studies used simulation as a learning method but there was a lack of structured activities for learning, which is a vital aspect to support clinical judgement development. The study aim was to investigate the effect of an Experiential Learning Simulation-Based Learning Program on clinical judgment among nursing students.

Methods

A quasi-experimental two-group pre-test post-test design was employed. The participants were 44 nursing students. The intervention comprised three obstetrics nursing clinical scenarios in antepartum, peripartum, and postpartum periods guided by Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory that included concrete experiences, reflective observations, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Clinical judgment was assessed through a questionnaire.

Results

After the program, the experimental group had higher scores of clinical judgment than the control group. Significant differences in the clinical judgment scores were noted between groups.

Conclusions

The Experiential Learning Simulation-Based Learning Program demonstrated effectiveness in increasing clinical judgment among nursing students.