Development and effectiveness of an oncology nursing standardized patient simulation program for nursing students

Purpose: Standardized patient-based simulation is known to be a useful tool in the training of nursing students; however, few studies have examined the use of this method in oncology nursing education. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an oncology nursing simulation program that used standardized patients on knowledge, nursing performance ability, and satisfaction among nursing students. Methods: This study used a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The experimental group (n=25) participated in an 8-hour oncology nursing simulation program that consisted of a lecture (2 hours) and a four-session simulation program(6 hours). The control group (n=29) received case-based learning (6 hours) and a lecture (2 hours). Knowledge level was assessed with a 33-item knowledge assessment multiple-choice questionnaire. Nursing performance ability was assessed with a nursing performance ability checklist. Educational satisfaction was evaluated using the 12-item Course Satisfaction Evaluation tool. Data were collected from June to July of 2012 and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The experimental group showed significantly higher nursing performance ability and satisfaction compared with the control group. Knowledge of oncology nursing increased in both the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: An oncology nursing simulation program was more effective than case-based learning in improving nursing student performance and was found to produce high satisfaction.