Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) Simulation Project

Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) is a problem of global significance; accounting for 25 percent of maternal deaths, it is a leading cause of maternal mortality, often occurring in healthy women devoid of significant risk factors. Because of its relative infrequency, student nurses may miss opportunities to practice critical PPH skills while in a supervised learning environment. Simulation offers students an arena to practice low-frequency, high-stakes events like PPH, in an environment where no harm results from missteps. This DNP Capstone Project investigated the effect of simulation on knowledge, confidence, and clinical judgment of 33 third semester traditionally enrolled baccalaureate nursing students. A one-group, pretest-posttest design assessing knowledge and confidence was performed; knowledge scores showed mixed improvement. Surveys revealed satisfaction with simulation improved (p\u3c .0 to .003 at .05), although confidence in skills and responsibility for learning did not. Student self-reflections correlated with researcher. Themes of importance emerged, including prioritization and communication