Effect of Electronic Interactive Simulation on Senior Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students' Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment Skills

Abstract

Background Novice nurses' lack of clinical experience is a significant concern in today's complex health care environment. Method A randomized controlled trial compared the effects of an electronic interactive simulation (EIS) to traditional paper case study simulation on the critical thinking disposition and clinical judgment skills of senior baccalaureate nursing students. Results Participants who used EIS over a 2-week period increased their scores for critical thinking disposition overall and on three subscales. Conclusions This study's findings supported EIS as a viable option for experiential learning to enhance clinical judgment skills in bachelor of science in nursing students.