Increasing the proportion of simulation within a nursing course shows mixed effects on competency outcomes (Hayden et al. trial)¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · quant-synthesis r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · checked against its sources 2026-10-31 (automated, 2 of 2 entries) · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? In the more-versus-less simulation comparison, 50% simulation outperformed 25% and 10% on the Global Assessment of Clinical Competency, but lower-simulation groups outperformed 50% on Fundamentals of Nursing CCEI ratings, and NCLEX pass rates did not differ. → Prothero 2026

Evidence¶

Prothero 2026¶

Prothero, L., Abdulmohdi, N., Shaw, S., Edmonds, M., and Meads, C. (2026). The Effectiveness of Simulation‐Based Versus Patient‐Based Clinical Education in Nursing: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. Nursing Open 13, no. 9: e70689. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70689

q2 · i? · quant-synthesis · r3

Three-arm RCT embedded in the review comparing 50%, 25% and 10% simulation across a full course: the 50% group scored highest on the Global Assessment of Clinical Competency and Readiness for Practice (8.23 vs 7.78 and 7.83, p = 0.001).

"50% (n = 154) versus 25% (165) versus 10% (153) Global Assessment of Clinical Competency and Readiness for Practice (mean [SD]) 8.23 (1.1) 7.78 (1.14) 7.83 (1.3) 50% > 25% and 10%, p = 0.001"

Prothero 2026 (2)¶

Prothero, L., Abdulmohdi, N., Shaw, S., Edmonds, M., and Meads, C. (2026). The Effectiveness of Simulation‐Based Versus Patient‐Based Clinical Education in Nursing: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. Nursing Open 13, no. 9: e70689. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70689

q2 · i? · quant-synthesis · r3

Same trial, different measure: on Fundamentals of Nursing Final CCEI Clinical Ratings the 25% and 10% groups outperformed the 50% group (97.1 and 96.4 vs 93.9, p = 0.001); NCLEX first-time pass rates were reported as NS.

"50% (n = 230) versus 25% (268) versus 10% (216) Fundamentals of Nursing Final CCEI Clinical Ratings (mean [SD]) 93.9 (14.4) 97.1 (6.2) 96.4 (7.6) 25% + 10% > 50%, p = 0.001"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• In an RCT of ICU nurses, simulation-based education produced within-group gains in knowledge, confidence and competence but no between-group differences at 6 weeks — related
• Simulation Based Education Improves Outcomes — a broader claim this one bears on
• No included comparative study assessed patient-based clinical outcomes, patient acceptability of care, or staff resource time — related
• In the few trials comparing them, virtual patients showed no significant knowledge differences versus other digital education, and skills differences in only one of three studies — related
• Simulation-based education increases post-registration nurses' odds of satisfactory observed delirium-care practice at 6 weeks in a cluster RCT — related
• Simulation-based education consistently improved nurses' confidence in delirium recognition and assessment across included studies — related
• Manikin-based simulation produced equal or superior competency outcomes versus traditional clinical practice, except in the Patient Safety domain — related