Abstract

LUBINDA, G; TSHIAMO, W B; MARIPE-PERERA, D B  and  SABONE, M. The perspective of undergraduate nursing students regarding simulation learning: Insights from Botswana. Afr. J. Health Prof. Educ. (Online) [online]. 2025, vol.17, n.4, pp.2-7. ISSN 2078-5127.  https://doi.org/10.7196/AJHPE.2025.v17i4.2648.

BACKGROUND. Simulation is used in nursing education to help students attain practical skills before they are placed in a clinical setting. Its effectiveness in bridging the gap between theory and practice has been documented. Simulation mimics the real clinical area situation and fosters nursing students' learning. Globally the demand for nurses and nurse educators has increased. The scarcity of nurse educators has created an enormous shortage, resulting in a high student-to-educator ratio. During the COVID-19 pandemic, simulation-based learning was appreciated, yet the perspectives of undergraduate nursing students regarding simulation-based learning remain under-researched in Botswana and low-income countries. OBJECTIVE. To explore undergraduate nursing students' perceptions regarding the use of low-fidelity simulation learning. METHODS. The study used a descriptive qualitative design to explore undergraduate nursing students' perceptions regarding simulation learning. The sample for the survey was twenty (n=20) third- and fourth-year Bachelor of Nursing Science students registered for a simulation-based course in the academic years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Three focus group interviews were conducted between 15 and 30 May 2024. Thematic data analysis was done. RESULTS. Twenty participants, comprising 35% (n=7) males and 65% (n=13) females, aged between 18 and 24 with a mean age of 22.18 (standard deviation 0.87), were interviewed. Three themes emerged: perception of the benefits of simulation-based learning, students' experiences, and challenges regarding simulation-based learning. CONCLUSION. Generally, participants appreciated simulation learning, because it allowed them to acquire nursing care skills in a non-threatening and safe environment. However, the researcher's perspective and self-selection bias of participants may have influenced the study findings.

Keywords : Simulation; learning; nursing students; nursing art laboratory.

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