Presentation Abstracts from 2012 INACSL Conference e408

the role of the patient was enacted by a woman Veteran with knowledge

of PTSD. Incorporating her unique perspectives, in addition to the

expertise of VA clinicians and academic partners, enabled us to develop

a realistic portrayal of an Iraqi war woman Veteran with MST induced

PTSD.

Findings & Implications: Survey findings suggest this simulation in-

creased the students’ competence in assessing and communicating with

women Veterans with PTSD. In addition, students also reported increased

empathy and confidence when caring this population. Utilizing women

Veterans as standardized patients offers opportunities for Veterans to

participate in nursing education.

Relevance to Conference Objectives: Findings from this study suggest

incorporating standardized patients with personal knowledge of PTSD

improves the authenticity of the simulation and opportunities for students

andVeterans to connect with each other. Students gained a deeper awareness

and appreciation of the care needs of women Veterans and while gaining

crucial assessment skills.

Effectiveness of a Second Life� Simulation for Undergraduate MentalHealth Nursing Students

Level of Presentation: Novice

Lori Kidd, PhD, RN, CNS, Assistant Professor of Nursing, The

University of Akron College of Nursing, Akron, Ohio, 330-972-6703,

kidd@uakron.edu

Samantha Knisley, BSN, RN, The University of Akron

Karyn Morgan, MSN, RN, CNS, Instructor, The University of Akron

College of Nursing

Objectives

1) The participant will identify at least three benefits associated with im-

plementation of a Second Life� simulation in a mental health nursing

course.

2) The participant will identify at least two challenges associated with

implementation of a Second Life simulation in a mental health nurs-

ing course.

Background/purpose: Learning may be enhanced in nursing education

by applying virtual reality technologies where students may safely

practice skills with simulated patients. The purpose of this descriptive

study was to measure the effectiveness of a Second Life� virtual

simulation as a teaching strategy for undergraduate mental health nursing

students.

Methods: Students enrolled in a mental health nursing course over two

semesters volunteered to participate in the study (n¼126). Data were

collected via survey questionnaire developed by the researchers. The

survey instrument consisted of thirty-five items. Ten items were

demographic, with nine items evaluating educational effectiveness,

and fourteen items evaluating technical difficulty. Effectiveness was

rated on a 1 to 4 Likert scale. Two open-ended questions were also

included and asked students what they liked best and least about the

simulation.

Evaluation of data: Data analysis was performed using SPSS version

19.0. Descriptive statistics were used to provide information about the

sample. Findings included that students perceived the simulation to be

moderately effective as an educational strategy (mean 22.22, range 8-32)

and slightly difficult as a technical program (mean 26.33, range 14-56).

Correlation analysis was also performed to determine if there was

a significant relationship between perceived educational effectiveness

and perceived technical difficulty, and between age and perceived

technical difficulty. Findings were that there was a significant relationship

pp e385-

between perceived educational effectiveness and technical difficulty

(p¼.01), as well as between age of computer and perceived technical

difficulty (p¼.05), but age was not related to perceived technical

difficulty. Results of open ended question review indicated that students

identified several benefits of the Second Life� activity. Some of the

aspects they most liked included the opportunity to conduct a home

health assessment without the potential safety risks. The real life aspect

of the simulation was enjoyable, requiring quick thinking. Some

participants liked that the simulation was different than other class

assignments. Others liked the focus on communication skills, ability to

work from home, and ability to save and review the interaction. Students

also identified several negative aspects of the Second Life� simulation.

Things that they liked least included difficulties in creating and dressing

an avatar and maneuvering around the Second Life� world. Many found

the program time consuming and difficult to setup. During the interaction

with the patient, participants disliked waiting for the instructor to type her

response and did not enjoy the virtual setting, stating the program was

‘not real’.

Conclusions/Implications: Second Life� virtual simulation has the

potential to provide unique, easily accessible, safe and fun learning for

mental health nursing students.

Relevance to conference themes: This presentation presents new research

outcomes of a curricular and technological innovation that is a simulation

strategy.

The Effectiveness of Human Patient Simulation on Nursing Students’Transfer of Learning

Level of Presentation: Advanced

Tera Kirkman, EdD, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing,

Institution\Agency: University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama,

(256) 648-9530, trkirkman@una.edu

Objectives

To describe various methodologies used to research HPS and transfer

of learning.

To highlight the effectiveness of HPS in the areas of transfer of learn-

ing and clinical competence.

Abstract: The workshop will cover quantitative research in the area of

transfer of learning and clinical competence using nurse observers/raters.

The purpose of this quasi-experimental time series design study was to

examine whether baccalaureate nursing students were able to transfer

knowledge and skills learned from classroom instruction and HPS clinical

to the traditional clinical setting. Students were observed at three different

points in time. Self-report data was also collected regarding students’

perceptions of their clinical competence. The results provided evidence that

students were able to transfer knowledge and skills learned from the HPS

setting to the traditional clinical setting. The results also indicated that

students’ perceived clinical competence and actual competence was

enhanced following human patient simulation clinical. It was concluded

thatHPS is an effective learning and teachingmethod.HPS should be used in

conjunction with traditional classroom lecture. Members of nursing faculty

should be supported in their usage of HPS. The presenter will share the

results and tools used in the data collection process. This information is

relevant to the conference theme because there is minimal information

regarding students’ ability to transfer information learned from the HPS

setting to the traditional clinical setting. The conference theme calls for the

best simulation ideas. This research study will provide methodological ideas

to nurse researchers regarding how future research in the area of transfer of

learning could be conducted.

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