The promotion of student psychological safety during nursing simulation

Aims: The use of simulation in nursing education is typically associated with patient safety, but what about the safety of the learner? The aims of this presentation are to examine strategies to help reduce levels of stress and performance anxiety experienced by nursing students undertaking simulation. Background: When an assessable, simulated exercise was offered for third year, potential graduating nursing students, the assessors noted high levels of student stress and performance anxiety. This was despite the fact the majority of students agreed that they had been suitably prepared to undertake the simulation. Stress and performance anxiety experienced by nursing students during simulation has been modestly discussed in the literature (Ganley & Linnard-Palmer 2010; Gandt 2008), although strategies to help ensure student psychological safety during simulation remains an under-researched area. Methods: A review of the literature on stress and performance anxiety experienced by nursing students during simulation has been completed. Workshops facilitated by mental health nursing academics for all staff involved in simulation that explore current methods utilised in managing anxiety and performance issues will better assist students cope psychologically