Embedding eportfolio into the nursing course: Using PebblePad to engage students in weekly low fidelity immersive simulation in a complex care clinical nursing unit

M. Hopkins; C. Nilson

The 5th semester Complex Care unit in the Murdoch University Bachelor of Nursing course, has historically used paper based work sheets to guide students through realistic simulated low fidelity case based nursing care scenarios. In 2017, PebblePad was utilised to create a set of virtual health records for eight patients with frequently presenting chronic health conditions. The records included the patients biography (including photographs), clinical history, diagnostic results and nursing documentation. The PebblePad workbook engaged students in a constructivist learning approach as they work in groups at the simulated patients bedside. Each week they accessed the workbook that provided them with a scenario and the patients details using monitors above the beds. The realism of the experience was enhanced by the addition of low fidelity manikins that allowed students to relate the information in the virtual health records to the patient. The workbook included guidelines on the required nursing care of the patient by using a variety of aids such as clinical skills videos, and by embedding diagnostic evidence such as ECG results into the patients records. The workbook was constructed using the latest evidence based practice that allowed students to critically analyse the information provided to them. Students worked at a pace that suited their individual learning styles in a safe environment to develop their clinical reasoning skills. Students had ownership of the health records and could work in them at any time. It changed the students focus from assessment of learning to assessment for learning. The virtual health records evolved on a weekly basis and guided the students through each case study to provide a realistic and valuable learning experience that was skilfully developed to meet the learning objectives of the unit. In addition, the implementation of the PebblePad workbook positively impacted on the number of man hours previously allocated to creating paper-based resources, and on the amount of printed material provided to students, which was always perceived to be an overwhelming volume.

Embedding eportfolio into the nursing course: Using PebblePad to engage students in weekly low fidelity immersive simulation in a complex care clinical nursing unit

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