Development of a Multiple-Patient Simulation and its Effectiveness in Clinical Judgment and Practice Readiness: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: A Multiple Patient Simulation (MPS) involves multiple low-fidelity or high-fidelity simulators in one simulation setting. Previous research indicates MPS is a promising educational method that reflects the real-world experience of nurses who must care for multiple patients simultaneously. Methods: The MPS program was developed according to a six-step approach, and four standardized patients were trained. This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of the MPS program in clinical judgment and practice readiness. A total of 46 nursing college students participated: 22 in the MPS group and 24 in the control group. A presurvey was conducted, and the experimental group conducted the MPS. Control group participants were provided a video lecture. Both groups completed a postsurvey. Results: The MPS group showed a significant increase compared to the control group in both clinical judgment (t = 4.95, p <.001) and practice readiness (t = 6.69, p <.001). Conclusions: Findings indicate MPS can be a valuable training method to help nursing students prepare for nursing practice.