By Purity Nyamu, Prof. Ruth Gatere (PhD), Winfred K. Kithinji
September, 2018
Abstract
Simulation is a teaching and learning strategy that is used in nursing education for preparation of students into clinical practice. The use of simulation as an educational tool is endorsed in the nursing curricular. In general, the literature supports the use of simulation to benefit nursing student in areas of knowledge, value and realism. However, little emphasis has been placed to make effective use of the method. The aim of the study was to assess the perceptions of nursing students and tutors on utilization of simulation as a teaching and learning strategy at KMTC-Nairobi with view of improving the utilization of the simulation strategy. This study utilized descriptive cross sectional research design. The target population comprised of all nursing students and the tutors at KMTC-Nairobi. The study employed the stratified sampling technique to identify the nursing student respondents. For the tutors, census approach was applied where all the teachers were studied. Data collection tools were structured questionnaires which were used for data collection to obtain information from the respondents. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 24 for windows. Both descriptive and inferential statistics particularly the T test statistics were used in data analysis. The findings obtained showed that a number of simulation experiences such as full-body mannequins or integrated simulators, partial task trainers and computerized simulators have been incorporated in the nursing program at KMTC. The study also found out that both the nurse students and the nurse tutors had a positive perception towards the utilization of simulation in teaching and learning. The study further found out that simulation models at KMTC were yet to be fully efficient in achieving their objectives. The coefficient of determination R square obtained indicated that 29% of simulation as a teaching and learning strategy is explained by perception on simulation, simulation models usage and perception of effectiveness of simulation of nursing students. From the model obtained, simulation application had a coefficient of 0.469 which implies a positive effect on simulation as a teaching and learning strategy. The relationship was significant at 95% since the p-values are less than 0.05.The study therefore concludes that KMTC is yet to fully and successfully integrate the simulation practices in their programs. The study recommends that the management to highly prioritize this during strategy formulations and budgetary allocation. They should also redesign the curricula, train the nurse tutors and sensitize the nurse students on the importance of the adoption of simulation methods. The study further recommends that the Ministry of Health to develop and equip simulation laboratories across country, and not only KMTC only.
Key Words: Utilization of Simulation, Teaching and Learning, Nursing Education, Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi
URL: https://www.ijcab.org/201800860/ View Full Article
This is an open-access article published and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, United States unless otherwise stated.