Current Issues

This qualitative research paper discusses the experiences of nursing students who have gone through simulation-based training in addition to experiences in the clinical settings in nursing homes. Although traditional clinical placements allow students to gain supplementary clinical experience required to subsequently engage in clinical practice, the learning experience is fraught with limitations (namely: the uneven delivery of learning experience, and the unevenness of supervision). A submitted simulation-based instructional setting enables learners to have a form of organized environment to make a clinic decision-making case, be involved, and feel communications with the elderly without threatening patients. The study shows the main findings by means of a thematic analysis of student reflections and indicates not only the increased feeling of confidence but also a better impending and the built of critical thinking skills. But also topics like emotional stress, artificiality, perceived and dependence on facilitation quality were found. All findings imply that simulation training combined with clinical practice has the potential to enhance competency development, fill theory-practice gaps, and enhance overall nursing home care readiness.