Junior and Senior Nursing Students: A Near-Peer Simulation Experience

Background: Near-peer teaching is a form of peer-assisted learning with at least 1 year of difference between the groups of students. Method: A near-peer simulation allowed junior nursing students to obtain a focused history and assessment, administer medications, and provide patient education to senior students. Senior students provided performance feedback to the junior students. Faculty gave additional feedback and facilitated a group debriefing session. All students were asked to complete an anonymous online postsurvey. Results: One hundred nine junior and senior students completed the immediate postsurvey. The mean score was 2.14, corresponding to the "agree" response. Nearly three quarters (73%) of the students indicated they agree or strongly agree that "the simulation provided a variety of ways to learn," Five themes emerged: Improved Confidence in Assessment Skills, Communication, Connecting Nursing Content, Peer Feedback and Interaction, and Awareness of Community Resources. Conclusion: Near-peer simulation is a beneficial teaching strategy for nursing students.