Use of High-Fidelity Simulation to Improve the Clinical Judgment of Nurses in Critical Situations

Background: Although nursing curricula focus on preparing students for entry to practice, the limited clinical judgment skills of novice and newly hired registered nurses in practice can lead to adverse patient outcomes. This study was conducted to improve clinical judgment skills and perceived confidence in clinical judgment of novice and newly hired nurses. Method: The study used a quasi-experimental, criterion-referenced educational evaluation design. The 90-minute intervention included two simulation encounters lasting 12 to 15 minutes. Results: Participants ( n = 152) reported high post-intervention confidence in recognizing cues, prioritizing hypotheses, and executing clinical interventions. Conclusion: Ratings across all domains on the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric suggest that simulation-based education, guided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Clinical Judgment Measurement Model framework, can be a powerful tool for enhancing clinical judgment. Findings from this study may further validate the use of simulation in both clinical practice and educational settings.