Determining the value of simulation in nurse education: Study design and initial results

Nowadays simulation is taking an important place in training and education of healthcare professionals. The University of Hertfordshire is carrying out a study which aims to determine the effect of realistic scenario-based simulation on nursing students’ competence and confidence. This project is sponsored by the British Heart Foundation and takes place in the Hertfordshire Intensive Care and Emergency Simulation Centre (HICESC), a simulated three adult beds Intensive Care Unit. The simulation platform used is a Laerdal SimMan Universal Patient Simulator. A unique and robust study design, and results of the study are presented in this article.