S3 - Strategies for Managing Learners’ Cognitive Load During a Multiple-Patient Simulation for Undergraduate Nursing Students

Abstract : Introduction/

Purpose:

Cognitive load consists of both intrinsic load, which refers to the innate intricacies of a simulation and extraneous load, which relates to the design of the simulation. The purpose of this presentation is to share innovative strategies about how to best manage students’ cognitive load during a multiple-patient simulation.

Theoretical Framework: An updated version of the Cognitive Load Model, which speaks to the relationship between the learners’ cognitive load, the learning environment, and task and learner characteristics will be used to frame this presentation.

Description:

As the multiple-patient simulation experience unfolds, undergraduate nursing students rotate through the role of the primary nurse. INACSL Healthcare Standards of Best PracticeTM are used to ensure the quality of the simulation experience. Students completed the NASA-TLX tool, after rotating through the primary nurse role. Students experienced high mental demand (M=76.63, SD= 13.943), temporal demand (M=79.73, SD=15.128), and effort (M=75.33, SD=12.918) in the primary nurse role.

Population/Setting:

Nursing students in their final semester of a baccalaureate nursing program at a large public university in the Midwest.

Results:

Reflecting on faculty and students’ experiences during the multiple patient simulation, as well as data collected via the NASA-TLX tool, strategies to manage learners’ intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load during the multiple patient simulation were realized. For example, through well-designed prebriefs and flowcharts to ensure the multiple-patient simulation unfolds correctly.



Discussion/

Conclusion:

Strategies to manage cognitive load can be leveraged to ensure multiple patient simulation experiences for undergraduate nursing students provide students with an equitable experience.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to participate in your session.: The authors will discuss how effects of cognitive load on student experiences in a complex multi-patient simulation experience have informed strategy development to manage intrinsic and extraneous load.