Objective To investigate the effect of situational simulation combined with problem-based learning (PBL) in nursing interns in Department of Emergency. Methods A total of 122 nursing interns in the Department of Emergency in our hospital from June 2016 to December 2017 were selected and divided into control group (n=60) and experimental group (n=62) according to the order of internship. The interns in the control group were taught with the conventional clinical teaching mode
i.e.
the traditional teaching method
and clinical teaching was consistent with the practice time
teaching plan
teaching goal
and teaching progress of nursing interns. The interns in the experimental group were taught with situational simulation combined with PBL
and this clinical teaching mode was used for the teaching and management of nursing interns according to the contents of the syllabus and the requirements for internship. The two groups were compared in terms of comprehensive ability (theoretical assessment + skill operation assessment) and critical thinking ability based on Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory-Chinese Version (CTDI-CV). All the data were analyzed by SPSS 17.0
t test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results Compared with the control group
the experimental group had significantly better scores of comprehensive ability (89.69±7.82) vs. (76.86±6.12) and critical thinking ability (290.69±17.83) vs. (276.67±18.82). The comparison of the scores on each dimension showed that compared with the control group
the experimental groups had significantly better scores of truth-seeking [(40.23±5.92) vs. (38.88±6.78)
P<0.05]
open-mindedness [(41.92±4.28) vs. (39.42±6.78)
P<0.05]
analytical tendencies [(43.12±5.12) vs. (41.22±4.86)
P<0.05]
and inquisitiveness [(43.42±4.69) vs. (40.45±6.21)
P<0.05]. Conclusion Situational simulation combined with PBL can improve the comprehensive ability of clinical nursing interns
enhance their critical thinking ability
and improve their autonomy and enthusiasm to participate in study.