The lived experience of associate degree nursing students following a pediatric simulation experience: A phenomenological inquiry

Background: Nursing is facing many challenges, including a nurse faculty shortage, an increase in student enrollment, and a decrease in clinical sites, particularly in the specialty areas, including pediatrics. The demands for innovative ideas in education have accelerated due to the advances in therapeutic procedures and the complex patient. Growth in simulation will benefit student engagement, and pediatric simulation improves the delivery of nursing care to acutely ill children. Nursing practice that ensures successful, safe, patient-centered care is imperative for positive outcomes.;Purpose: To explore the lived experience of the associate degree nursing student who has completed a pediatric clinical simulation; to gain an understanding of the meaning of this engaged learning experience so learning approaches can be employed to attain positive outcomes that will lead to competent pediatric nursing care.;Philosophical Underpinning: Principles of van Manen’s phenomenological approach.;Methods: The hermeneutic phenomenological method of van Manen was utilized to guide this inquiry. A convenience sample of third-semester associate degree nursing students who have completed a pediatric nursing course was studied, and data collection was obtained from semi-structured interviews. The process of data collection was through audio tape-recorded interviews and written reflective responses.;Results: The related themes of competence, collaboration, confidence, and comfortable emerged as a complete representation of the associate degree nursing students following a pediatric simulation. The essence of the participants’ thoughts and narratives were illuminated, which ascribed meaning to their experience. Pediatric simulation facilitated new learning and achievement of desired outcomes. These results provided new teaching strategies that could be incorporated into nursing curriculums.;Conclusions: This research study primarily revealed the desire and strength of pediatric simulation for these associate degree nursing students. The concept of self-efficacy within simulation influences students’ knowledge by increasing their experience and positively affecting their performance. Simulation is an effective teaching strategy for learning to transpire. It is essential that individuals have a positive perception of their capabilities and an influencing and encouraging environment.