Developing Low-Cost, High-Fidelity Resources for Blood Glucose Measurement and Cord Blood Sampling

Background: Simulation is a valuable teaching strategy within health care curricula that has the potential to better prepare students for clinical practice. Educators are using simulation in innovative ways to increase the level of clinical competence and confidence of nursing students in relation to task-based skill acquisition and proficiency. Methods: The authors present two innovative and cost-effective high-fidelity devices that can be used to teach blood glucose measurements and cord blood sampling techniques to nursing and midwifery students. Results: In this article, we provide step-by-step instructions for these simulation innovations that can be used to replicate real word practice in any laboratory or simulation setting. Conclusion: Both of the low cost devices presented here have the potential to be employed a teaching resources in skills teaching and also in higher fidelity complex immersive teaching events that require students to engage in critical thinking. (C) 2016 International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.