Learning in Simulated Environments: Effect on Learning Transfer and Clinical Skill Acquisition in Nurse Practitioner Students

This research study examined whether a transfer of learning (i.e., growth in clinical competency) occurred from the simulation laboratory to the clinical bedside and if it did occur, how. The study design was descriptive research, using 14 acute care nurse practitioner students. Observations were done in the simulation laboratory with a standardized patient and then in the clinical setting with an actual patient. The results showed significant growth in overall clinical competency from the simulation laboratory to the clinical bedside (M-diff = 0.08, SE = 0.02, t(13) = 3.03, p = 0.01, r = 0.64). A statistically significant correlation was noted between the overall competency scores of students in the simulation laboratory and the overall competency scores in the clinical setting, with r(12) = 0.63, p < 0.01. Three themes emerged from the students' responses regarding how the simulation experience affected their clinical competency.