(60) Innovative Simulation Education of Hybrid Staffing Model for RNs and RTs

Abstract: Introduction/Background/Purpose or Rationale: Shortage of respiratory therapists (RTs) prompted need to evaluate alternative staffing models, enabling RNs and RTs to work collaboratively. Hybrid staffing model developed. Simulation education purpose: evaluate RN knowledge, competency, confidence with asthma and bronchiolitis care, utilizing NASA Task Load Index, Likert scale survey of perceived knowledge and confidence.

Guiding conceptual or theoretical framework or theoretical basis: Use of simulation to develop skills and teach procedures well established in scientific literature.

Description: Lead respiratory simulation educator developed 2 rapid cycle deliberate practice (RCDP) simulations focused on asthma and bronchiolitis care. Lead simulation educator trained fellow simulation educators to train staff after attending didactic and skills training. Floor RNs trained to perform foundational RT tasks, enabling RTs to focus on advanced tasks.

Target population and setting: General Patient Care and Specialty Unit RNs from three-hospital healthcare system. Intensive care units excluded.

Results/Outcomes/Evaluation of the project: Asthma scenario showed 30.17% knowledge increase. Bronchiolitis scenario showed 26.415% knowledge increase. Asthma scenario showed 21.87% confidence increase in identifying appropriate therapy based on respiratory assessment. Bronchiolitis scenario showed 20.68% confidence increase in identifying appropriate therapy based on respiratory assessment. NASA Task Load Index indicated 73.43% of RNs felt successful in accomplishing foundational respiratory tasks.

Discussion and conclusion: Simulation education scenarios have been incorporated into new employee onboarding for RNs. RCDP “grab and go” scenarios developed so simulation educators can continue to educate/remediate RNs and RTs. Post-implementation of hybrid staffing model, 86% of RNs feel they do not need additional education or training.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to view your poster.: Poster demonstrates collaboration to improve efficiency through innovative training. Educational simulation empowered nurses to incorporate foundational respiratory tasks into their daily work, reducing the strain on respiratory therapists and allowing them to focus on higher acuity patients in the ICU environments. This practice change could be adopted in other pediatric organizations to foster better collaboration among interdisciplinary teams.