Using Simulation in First Year Nursing Student Curriculum to Improve Dosage Calculations

Abstract

Patient safety is of the upmost importance specifically when related to medication administration. Nurses are responsible for safe medication administration as a primary responsibility. Nursing education programs, especially associate degree nursing programs, use high-fidelity simulation to enhance medication administration and dosage calculation. First year nursing students are expected to pass a dosage calculation exam with accuracy to assess safe medication practices. The purpose of this quasi-experimental ex post facto design study was to examine the causal relationship between the medication administration simulation and the dosage calculation test scores in first year, associate degree nursing students. First year nursing students who participated in the high-fidelity medication administration had statistically significant differences in their dosage calculation test scores and the odds of passing the dosage calculation test on the first attempt than the students who did not participate. Age and gender demographic information of the students who participated in the high-fidelity simulation did not show any statistically significant information based on their participation. The study aims to examine which education intervention is effective in improving dosage calculation test scores in first year nursing students. Implementation of high-fidelity simulation experiences can improve dosage calculation exams scores and contribute to a safer nursing workforce.