Improving Attitudes and Perceived Competence in Caring for Dying Patients: An End‐of‐Life Simulation. Issue 6 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lippe, Megan Pfitzinger; Becker, Heather
• Is Part Of: Nursing education perspectives. Volume 36:Issue 6(2016)
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: End‐of‐Life Care -- Nursing Education -- Simulation -- Perceived Competence -- Withdrawal of Care; Nursing -- United States -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- United States -- Periodicals; Education, Nursing; Nursing; Nursing; United States; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.73071073
• DOI: 10.5480/14-1540
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1536-5026

Abstract

Abstract : AIM : The aim of this study was to assess learning outcomes from a simulation on providing care to a critically ill patient from whom care is ultimately withdrawn. BACKGROUND : Nursing students have anxiety and low perceived competence for caring for dying patients. Effective strategies for teaching communication, assessment, and basic nursing skills are needed. METHOD : A pretest‐posttest design compared perceived competence and attitudes in caring for dying patients with three separate cohorts of undergraduate nursing students performing the simulation. RESULTS : The cohorts had significantly improved scores on the perceived competence ( p < .001) and attitude ( p < .01) measures following the simulation. Reliability for a new instrument to assess perceived competence in caring for dying patients was also established. CONCLUSION : This study's simulation offers a robust teaching strategy for improving nursing students' attitudes and perceived competence in caring for dying patients.