(17) Certified Nursing Assistant Boot Camp: Review of basic nursing skills using a simulated experience

Abstract: Nursing school is intimidating for students especially when they’ve had little experience working with patients. Students are often required to complete certified nurse aid training (CNA) prior to beginning a nursing program. Often CNA training is the only patient experience a student has prior to clinical experiences. According to Stombaugh & Judd (2013), “Nursing programs cannot assume that students are prepared in these basic skills based on a nursing assistant certification” (p. 165). The authors suggest nursing programs develop methods to ensure students are proficient in these skills. Students entering a second degree accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program requested a review of basic nursing skills. Using the NLN Jeffries Simulation Theory a simulated experience was developed providing a safe learning environment for the students to practice basic nursing skills using a patient centered scenario. Students performed skills such as peri care, changing an occupied bed, transferring a patient with multiple lines using a gait belt, vital signs with manual blood pressure. In addition, a review of oxygen, suction, and sequential compression device equipment took place.
Initial feedback has been positive so we will collect data evaluating the confidence level of students with experience working with patients prior to entering the program, students that attended the simulation experience prior to the first day of the program, and students with only experience obtained from a CNA course. Qualitative data will be included at the time of presentation for student and simulation faculty perspectives regarding confidence levels of the students.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to view your poster.: It provides a scenario for students to revisit basic skills in an efficient timely manor. It required approximately eight hours preparation, 30 minute runs including pre-briefing and debriefing with two faculty and two simulation rooms. The feedback of students anecdotally was positive and students felt more competent and prepared to start clinical.