Impact of high-fidelity simulation on the development of clinical judgment and motivation among Lebanese nursing students

Background: High-fidelity simulation (HFS) offers a strategy to facilitate cognitive, affective, and psychomotor outcomes and motivate the new generation of students. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of using high-fidelity simulation on the development of clinical judgment and motivation among Lebanese nursing students. Design: A post-test, quasi-experimental design was used. Settings: Two private universities in Lebanon were targeted to implement the intervention. Participants: A convenience sample of 56 nursing students from two private universities in Lebanon were recruited. Methods: Data were collected using the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric and the Motivated Strategies for Learning questionnaires. Results: Nursing students exhibited significant improvement in clinical judgment and motivation due to exposure to HFS. There was a significant difference post HFS between the intervention group and the control group in clinical judgment intervention (t = 5.23, p < 0.001) and motivation for academic achievement (t = 6.71, p < 0.001). The intervention group had a higher mean score of clinical judgment (29.5, SD = 5.4) than the control group (22.1, SD = 5.7) and, similarly, students had higher mean scores of motivation (198.6, SD = 10.5) in the intervention group than in the control group (161.6, SD = 20). The analysis related to differences between the intervention and control groups in motivation and clinical judgment; controlling for previous experience in health care services, the analysis showed no significant difference (Wilk's lambda = 0.77, F = 1.09, p = 0374). Conclusion: There is a need for nursing educators to implement HFS in nursing curricula, where its integration can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and nursing practice and enhance critical thinking and motivation among nursing students. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.