Deliberate Practice in Simulation: Evaluation of Repetitive Code Training on Nursing Students’ BLS Team Skills
Gema Knipe, Sherry Fox, Robin A. Donatello
Abstract
BackgroundBasic life support (BLS) skills decline rapidly without frequent practice. Deliberate practice (DP) and simulation scenarios have been shown to increase BLS skill retention for nursing students. In addition, BLS implementation in the hospital setting requires effective team skills, which are infrequently addressed in resuscitation courses or in nursing students’ practice. An exploratory study to determine the impact of recurrent simulations with DP on BLS team skills was designed for senior nursing students.MethodSeven teams of students were followed over the course of one semester examining the impact of DP in recurrent simulation codes on BLS team skills.ResultsStudents attained effective BLS team performance after three hours of DP and sustained these skills over the semester with recurrent code practice.ConclusionRecurring code team DP sustains BLS skills and is recommended for nursing students.