Improving Critical Thinking and Clinical Reasoning in Nursing Students Through Post-Operative Scenario-Based Simulation

NCT06751446 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: GCCN/IRB/2024-12
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether scenario-based simulation training can effectively enhance critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills in nursing students in Bangladesh, focusing on postoperative nursing management. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Attend lectures on postoperative nursing care, take a pre-test, and be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group.
• The intervention group will undergo scenario-based simulation training, while the control group will receive traditional skills training.
• Both groups will engage in individual practice and complete post-training evaluations to assess critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and overall competency This study aims to identify an effective teaching strategy for nursing students, enhancing their ability to handle complex clinical situations and improving patient care quality.

Conditions

Nursing Education; Teaching Method

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Ability of critical thinking and clinical reasoning with skill

  The primary outcome, critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, will be assessed using a validated checklist covering five domains: analysis, inference, evaluation, inductive reasoning, and deductive reasoning. Students' performance in simulations or traditional skill demonstrations will be scored based on practical skills, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning. Trained evaluators will observe and score students' ability to identify patient problems, make evidence-based decisions, and explain their reasoning during debriefing sessions, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of these skills.The postoperative skill evaluation checklist includes practical skills, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning. The overall total score is 100: 48 for postoperative skill, 32 for critical thinking ability, and 20 for clinical reasoning ability. This ranges from 0 - 100. Higher scores show higher skill \& ability, and lower score indicates less skill and ability.

  6-7 weeks after baseline data collection

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Critical Thinking Ability

  6-7 weeks after baseline data collection

• Clinical Reasoning Ability

  6-7 weeks after baseline data collection

• Post Operative Management Skill

  6-7 weeks after baseline data collection

• Knowledge Test Score

  1 week after lecture session and 6-7 week after baseline data collection

• Free Commnents

  6-7 weeks after baseline data collection

Study Arms (2)

Scenario-Based Simulation Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Students allocated to the intervention group through block randomisation will participate in scenario-based simulation training. The Principal Investigator (PI) and GCCN faculty will guide the students using PI-developed videos and scenarios. The training will incorporate cases that depict abnormal signs and symptoms, fostering active learning and challenging students to apply practical skills. Later, students will engage in group-based skills training for repeated practice and reinforcement.

Other: Scenario-based Simulation Skill Training

Traditional Skills Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Students allocated to the control group through block randomisation will undergo traditional skills training. The Principal Investigator (PI) and GCCN faculty will demonstrate and train them in postoperative nursing management techniques. Later, students will practice independently in a skills lab under the guidance of the PI and GCCN faculty. Finally, all students will participate in a skills evaluation and knowledge post-test and provide free comments. To address potential ethical concerns, after the study's completion, the PI and GCCN faculty will provide the control group with training in scenario-based simulation and show them the developed videos on post-operative nursing management.

Other: Traditional Skill Training

Interventions

Scenario-based Simulation Skill Training OTHER

Scenario-based simulation is an educational approach that immerses students in realistic clinical scenarios, allowing them to practice decision-making and problem-solving in a safe, controlled environment. It challenges students to assess patient data, identify priorities, and implement interventions. Through guided debriefing sessions, students reflect on their actions, justify their decisions, and explore alternative strategies.

Scenario-Based Simulation Training

Traditional Skill Training OTHER

Traditional skill training in nursing education focuses on developing core technical skills through direct instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on practice. It emphasises mastery of essential tasks and conducting patient assessments. Students follow standardized protocols and procedures to ensure patient safety and accuracy in their practice

Traditional Skills Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• nd-year BSN students at GCCN who take "Adult medical \& surgical nursing."
• Students who provide informed consent to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Students who have completed theory class and clinical practice in the postoperative ward in any hospital.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hiroshima University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing

Dhaka, Turag, Dhaka-1230, Bangladesh

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Intervention Group Control Group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 20, 2024
• First Posted: December 27, 2024
• Study Start: January 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 25, 2025
• Study Completion: April 30, 2025
• Last Updated: June 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: 2025 - 2026
• Access Criteria: sadiasultana43329@gmail.com

Locations

BA (1)