RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access

Implementation and evaluation of an interprofessional simulation-based education program for undergraduate nursing students in operating room nursing education: a randomized controlled trial Rongmei Wang1, Nianke Shi2, Jinbing Bai1,3, Yaguang Zheng1,4 and Yue Zhao1* Background: The present study was designed to implement an interprofessional simulation-based education program for nursing students and evaluate the influence of this program on nursing students ’ attitudes toward interprofessional education and knowledge about operating room nursing. Methods: Nursing students were randomly assigned to either the interprofessional simulation-based education or traditional course group. A before-and-after study of nursing students ’ attitudes toward the program was conducted using the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale. Responses to an open-ended question were categorized using thematic content analysis. Nursing students ’ knowledge about operating room nursing was measured. Results: Nursing students from the interprofessional simulation-based education group showed statistically different responses to four of the nineteen questions in the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale, reflecting a more positive attitude toward interprofessional learning. This was also supported by thematic content analysis of the open-ended responses. Furthermore, nursing students in the simulation-based education group had a significant improvement in knowledge about operating room nursing. Conclusions: The integrated course with interprofessional education and simulation provided a positive impact on undergraduate nursing students ’ perceptions toward interprofessional learning and knowledge about operating room nursing. Our study demonstrated that this course may be a valuable elective option for undergraduate nursing students in operating room nursing education