The application and effect of computer simulations on decision-making in senior nursing students

• Main Author: Curran-Smith, Janet
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1992
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/5174/; https://research.library.mun.ca/5174/1/Curran-Smith_Janet.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/5174/3/Curran-Smith_Janet.pdf

This study examined the application of computer simulations in nursing education - specifically their contribution to decision making skills on the part of senior nursing students. -- The researcher designed three computer simulations. These, along with five commercial simulations were placed in nursing schools in St. John's, Newfoundland during the final clinical rotation of the nursing programs. The design of the study was that delineated by Gay as classic control/experimental group pretest/posttest design. Students were randomly assigned and the simulations were available to the experimental group for a six week period. The study focused on three dependent variables - decision making ability as indicated by scores on a decision making questionnaire, self-perceived frequency of decision making and self-perceived difficulty with decision making. -- The results of the study indicated a significant difference in scores on a posttest which measured decision making ability of the control and experimental groups. However, there was no significant difference in scores from time one to time two testing for decision making ability, frequency of decision making, or difficulty with decision making.