Examining the Impact of Simulation-Based Learning on Nursing Students' Clinical Decision-Making Skills

Posted: Sep 04, 2025

• Maya Foster
• Miles Turner
• Natalie Rogers

Abstract

This comprehensive study investigates the transformative potential of simulation-based learning methodologies in enhancing clinical decision-making skills among nursing students through an innovative mixed-methods approach. Traditional nursing education has long relied on clinical rotations and theoreticalinstruction,yetthegapbetweenacademicpreparationandreal-world clinical practice remains substantial. Our research introduces a novel framework that integrates high-fidelity patient simulations with cognitive apprenticeship principles and metacognitive scaffolding to create a more immersive and effective learning environment. The study employed a longitudinal design tracking 245nursingstudentsacrossthreeacademicsemesters,utilizingbothquantitative metrics of clinical performance and qualitative assessments of decision-making processes. Results demonstrated statistically significant improvements in diagnostic accuracy, intervention selection, and patient management strategies amongparticipantsexposedto theenhanced simulationcurriculum compared to controlgroups. Furthermore, qualitativeanalysisrevealedprofoundshiftsinstudents' cognitive frameworks, including enhanced pattern recognition, improved situational awareness, and more sophisticated clinical reasoning pathways. The findings challenge conventional nursing education paradigms by demonstrating that carefully structured simulation experiences can accelerate the development of clinical expertise beyond what traditional methods achieve. This research contributes original insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying clinical decision-making development and provides evidence-based guidelines for designing simulation curricula that optimize learning outcomes. The implications extendbeyondnursingeducation to inform healthcare training broadly, suggesting new directions for preparing healthcare professionals to navigate complex clinical environments with greater competence and confidence.