8 Steps to Create a Consistent Student Experience Across All Simulation Sessions

This article explores how educators can create consistent, high-quality simulation experiences for medical and nursing students. It outlines key steps to improve structure, fairness, and learning outcomes across all sessions while maintaining flexibility for future improvements.

What you’ll learn:

• How to define clear learning objectives for each session 
• The importance of standardized simulation scenarios and briefings
• Ways to maintain a consistent lab layout and environment
• How to train instructors for uniform performance assessment
• Effective methods for gathering feedback and continuous improvement

Many educators strive to create high-quality, effective simulation programs for their nursing and medical students. However, they often focus too much on designing simulated training scenarios and not enough on delivering them consistently. That could complicate each student’s learning experience. 

Consistency is the key to enhancing student experiences across all simulation sessions. If students have similar experiences during each simulation session, they won’t need to spend as much time understanding simulation training formats. Instead, students can focus on learning procedures, teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills. Additionally, educators will have an easier time assessing student progress when creating consistent learning experiences for students. 

Do you want to know what it takes to create a consistent student experience for your simulation sessions? Below are the top 8 steps in getting started:

1) Describe the Learning Objectives of Each Simulation Session 

Every simulation session should be designed to achieve one or more objectives. You cannot have a simulation without a clear purpose, as it will confuse students and diminish their learning experience.

Take a moment to write down and describe the learning objectives for each simulation scenario session. These objectives should coincide with the curriculum standards and guidelines created for the school course. Ensure that you clearly outline the goals, using consistent words and phrases across all simulation sessions. 

What is the reason? You will distribute the list of learning objectives to the students in those sessions. Students will start to see a pattern in the objectives and language used to describe them. That will make it easier for students to understand what they are supposed to take away from each simulation session.  

2) Use Standardized Simulation Scenarios

Standardizing your simulation scenarios is a good way to achieve consistency and reliability. You could develop scripts, templates, or guides to establish standardized aspects of your scenarios, such as vital sign timelines, imaging, patient histories, medications, patient heart rate, expected student actions, and tools used. 

Standardized simulation scenarios provide a framework for delivering consistent student experiences. Educators will find it easier to learn and rehearse the scenarios to ensure they provide them accurately and consistently to different groups of students. All they have to do is study the minute-by-minute progression of the templated framework, incorporating some variables or “if-statements” to add originality to the lessons. 

3) Maintain the Same Physical Environment

There is no need to change the physical layout of your simulation lab environment. It is better to maintain a consistent physical environment for each simulation session, as this will make it more familiar to your students. That familiarity will make it easier for your students to grow and adapt to the environment and all the tools in it. 

First, stock your simulation laboratory with high-fidelity or low-fidelity manikins, beds, IV poles, cardiac monitors, and other vital simulation supplies. Now, position each item in a designated location in the lab where you want it to remain permanently. Keep the items in these locations for each simulation session that takes place in the lab. 

4) Use a Standardized Orientation or Briefing

Different simulation sessions may offer varying training scenarios, but they should still adhere to a similar orientation or format. In other words, use a standardized briefing where you begin each simulation with an introduction of the instructors and an explanation of the simulation outline. You should also clarify the session’s rules, such as no cellphones and no books or resources for assistance. 

Consistently reviewing the objectives at the start of your simulation sessions will help avoid misunderstandings or confusion. Students will enter the sessions with a clear understanding of what is expected of them and what they need to do to succeed. 

5) Train Your Instructors

Training your instructors is just as important as training your students. Since you’ll have multiple instructors overseeing different simulation sessions, they must remain aligned regarding how to run the sessions.

For instance, you should debrief your instructors on how to evaluate student performance and assess any errors or mistakes they might make. You could provide them with similar grading rubrics to assess student performance, ensuring that the grading requirements remain fair and consistent throughout all sessions. 

6) Gather Student Feedback

Your first simulation sessions may not be perfect. That is why you should request student feedback after each simulation session. It will help you determine which parts of your sessions are confusing or difficult for students to comprehend.

Based on student feedback, you can adjust your simulation sessions to incorporate new changes and provide your students with a more effective simulated learning experience. Regular evaluations are necessary to maintain a consistent, high-quality performance in your simulation sessions. 

7) Conduct Random Audits

Periodically, it is a good idea to conduct random audits of the simulation lab sessions to maintain consistency. Conducting an audit involves visiting the labs unannounced to inspect the equipment, storage space, inventory, and layout, ensuring they continue to meet the required standards. 

Furthermore, you will want to inspect the performance of your instructors to ensure they are following the same rubric or guidelines for the sessions. These small random audits could go a long way in maintaining the best student educational experience for your simulation sessions. 

8) Continuous Improvement is Allowed

Consistency doesn’t mean that nothing ever has to change. There is always room for improvement and modifications to simulation sessions when necessary. 

For instance, if new medical technologies, protocols, or standards emerge, you will want to incorporate them into your simulation sessions. That way, your students will receive the most up-to-date lessons and education. 

Conclusion

Maintaining consistent student experiences across all simulations requires instructors to plan and train in advance. As part of the planning process, you must acquire the necessary medical supplies for your simulation laboratory.

Pristine Medical is a trusted supplier of medical equipment for simulation labs. You can find all the medical tools and accessories your lab needs, including manikins, IV tubes, fake blood, training kits, and more.