Abstract

Background

Some nursing schools use patient simulators to simulate patient scenarios.

Methods

Nursing students participated in five sessions using a patient simulator and then completed a questionnaire related to their experiences.

Results

Participants felt the experiences recreated real-life situations, tested their clinical decision-making, prepared them for the “real-life” clinical setting, and increased their confidence when in the clinical setting.

Conclusions

Patient simulator experiences enhance learning. Further research regarding student perceptions and instrument validation would contribute to an increased understanding of the use of patient simulators in nursing education.