BSN Medical-Surgical Student Ability to Perform CPR in a Simulation: Recommendations and Implications

Most nursing students are required to successfully complete a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course prior to starting their clinical experiences. Successful course completion implies that students are prepared to perform CPR effectively over a 2-year period. Thirty-two students in groups of four, were filmed while performing CPR, 22 weeks after their initial CPR certification, as part of an acute coronary syndrome scenario. Videos were scored using a modified Public Access Defibrillation tool, based on lay CPR AHA guidelines. None of the groups could successfully perform the basic steps of CPR; however all groups used an AED successfully.