The Development of Army Nurses’ Competencies by Using Scenario-Based Training

Abstract

The competency of the Royal Thai Army nurses including the ability to provide nursing care in usual situation, disasters and combat fields. Army nurses must provide nursing care that meets professional standards care in both in-hospital and out-of-hospital contexts. The scenario-based training ‘Yok-Phirarak Integrated training Operation’ was initiated in 2014. During phase 1 (2014 - 2016), students were trained how to provide nursing care in mass casualty situations. The training has been continuously developed to phase 2 (2017 - 2019) for graduates’ and institutional identities required from the stakeholders. The current program composes of 4-situation training; (1) conventional warfare, (2) unconventional warfare, (3) peacekeeping operation, and (4) humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission. The trainees have to integrate both nursing and military knowledge to manage health problems of virtual patients in all 4-scenario-based training. The physical, mentality and knowledge preparation will be provided for 1-2 months before the training starts, so that the trainees can perform nursing care for various types of injuries amidst stressed situations and limited medical resources.

Implication The scenario-based training is useful for developing the competency of nursing students to manage situations which require knowledge integration, experience and appropriate decision making. Furthermore, the training will facilitate the trainees to improve leadership skill, critical thinking and gain more confidence to perform nursing care in future missions.