The effect of simulation-based learning on nursing students’ perceived self-efficacy in intrapartum care

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research with a one group pretest-posttest design, was aimed to examine the effect of simulation-based learning on nursing students’ perceived self-efficacy in intrapartum care. The sample consisted of 89 fourth-year nursing students from Khon Kaen University. The study was conducted from November 2023 to March 2024. Data were collected using a perceived self-efficacy questionnaire of intrapartum care for pregnant women. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and paired t-test statistics.
The results showed that the nursing students had a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in their perceived self-efficacy score in caring for pregnant women during labor after participating in simulation-based learning compared to before the training, with posttest scores being higher than pretest scores. The findings indicated that simulation-based learning contribute to enhancing the students' self-efficacy in normal childbirth management, particularly in the roles of the birth attendant, which are specialized skills distinct from other nursing skills. It is recommended that students should be prepared for practical experience in the clinical setting through the utilization of simulation-based learning related to skills in caring for pregnant women during labor that emphasize both the role of midwives and birth assistants before they engage in actual clinical practice in hospital environments.