High-Fidelity Simulation for Neonatal Nursing Education: An Integrative Review of the Literature

• Published in: Neonatal network Vol. 34; no. 6; pp. 345 - 354
• Main Author: Cooper, Allyson
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Publishing Company 2015
• Subjects: Advanced Practice; Clinical Competence - standards; Critical Care, Acute Care, and Emergency; Education, Nursing - methods; Humans; Manikins; Needs Assessment; Neonatal Nursing - education; Neonatal Nursing - standards; Nursing; Pediatrics and Neonatal; Simulation Training - methods; Women's Health, Obstetrics, and Midwifery; neonatal nursing; high-fidelity simulation; education; literature review; constructivist theory
• ISSN: 0730-0832; 1539-2880; 1539-2880
• DOI: 10.1891/0730-0832.34.6.345

Abstract The lack of safe avenues to develop neonatal nursing competencies using human subjects leads to the notion that simulation education for neonatal nurses might be an ideal form of education. This integrative literature review compares traditional, teacher-centered education with high-fidelity simulation education for neonatal nurses. It examines the theoretical frameworks used in neonatal nursing education and outlines the advantages of this type of training, including improving communication and teamwork; providing an innovative pedagogical approach; and aiding in skill acquisition, confidence, and participant satisfaction. The importance of debriefing is also examined. High-fidelity simulation is not without disadvantages, including its significant cost, the time associated with training, the need for very complex technical equipment, and increased faculty resource requirements. Innovative uses of high-fidelity simulation in neonatal nursing education are suggested. High-fidelity simulation has great potential but requires additional research to fully prove its efficacy.