Degree Name
Nursing Practice, DNP
Publication Date
11-17-2025
First Advisor
Sandy King
Second Advisor
Diane Hare
Abstract
This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, Simulation Education Program for Medical Emergencies: Improving Facilitator Simulation Proficiency, addressed a critical gap in outpatient emergency preparedness among nursing leaders and facilitators. Despite established policies, many ambulatory care staff reported feeling unprepared to respond effectively to medical emergencies. Guided by the PICOT question, among nursing leaders and facilitators (P), how does a simulation education program in emergency care scenarios (I), compared to current education practices (C), impact simulation proficiency and effectiveness (O)? This quality improvement project evaluated the impact of structured simulation-based education on the competence of facilitators. Using a pre- and post-test design with the validated Facilitator Competency Rubric (FCR), participants completed a two-session educational intervention. Data analysis using a paired-samples t-test revealed a statistically significant improvement in post-intervention facilitator competency scores (t (5) = -5.86, p = .002). Grounded in Lewin’s Change Model and Benner’s Novice to Expert Framework, the project demonstrated that simulation education significantly enhanced facilitators’ confidence, communication, and teaching effectiveness. These improvements fostered a culture of preparedness, evidence-based practice, and continuous professional development within the internal medicine department. The findings support the integration of structured simulation training as a sustainable approach to enhancing emergency readiness and professional competence. This initiative provides a replicable model for advancing nursing education and leadership in simulation-based learning across similar clinical environments.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Kent, Cari, "Simulation Education Program for Medical Emergencies: Improving Facilitator Simulation Proficiency" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 270.
https://arch.astate.edu/dnp-projects/270
