Child Nursing Simulation Scenario Content Analysis: A Directed Qualitative Content Analysis

Background Simulation education in nursing is an educational strategy that can replace clinical practice. This study systematically analyzes pediatric patient nursing simulation scenarios using the INACSL (International Nursing Association of Clinical & Simulation Learning) protocol and provides foundational data to develop standardized templates and scenario development evaluation tools. Objective To provide criteria for the development of templates and evaluation tools for child nursing simulation scenarios in the future by conducting content analysis using the directed qualitative content analysis (DQCA) method. Methods Using the PRISMA 2020 method, 32 pediatric patient nursing simulation scenarios were collected and qualitatively analyzed through directed qualitative content analysis. Results Numerous scenarios were published in the United States and Korea using a standardized patient/participant. Most were infant and preschooler patient scenarios (72.1%) and related to emergency nursing interventions. All scenarios provided objectives and expected outcomes, but few had a format for prebriefing plans. While most provided well-defined making scripts and described trigger points and expected behaviors, many lacked clear descriptions of the facilitator's role. Most scenarios described debriefing, but merely provided debriefing questions without detailing operational methods. Although most scenarios followed the INACSL protocol, few described specific procedures and methods. Conclusion The limited number of published or shared scenarios and diversity in scenario templates and simulation education methods hinder utilization by nursing educators.