VitalSim® Versus SimMan®: A Comparison of BSN Student Test Scores, Knowledge Retention, and Satisfaction

Abstract 

Background

Students voice satisfaction with human patient simulation (HPS) however the costs associated with it must be balanced against measurable learning outcomes. Test scores are one measure of interest to faculty as licensure is awarded based on scores on a multiple-choice exam.

Methods

A 3 X 3 factorial repeated measures design was used with three groups (lecture only, SimMan® and lecture and VitalSim® and lecture, and three time points (a pretest, posttest 1 at two weeks, and posttest 2 at six months).

Results

Findings indicated significant increases in knowledge for all groups at posttest 1 and significant decreases in knowledge for all groups at posttest 2, six months later. Compensatory rivalry may have played a role in the initial posttest findings. There was no difference in simulation satisfaction by fidelity level. This study was funded by a Carl M. Hansen grant from Washington State University.

KeyWords: medical–surgical, student nursing, simulation, simulator fidelity