Improving Telenursing Skills Through Simulation-Based Education

Abstract

Background:Preparing graduate-level nurses to provide care via telehealth could both increase access to care and decrease healthcare costs. However, many nursing schools do not provide telehealth experiences, especially at the graduate level.Objective:The aim of this project is to incorporate telehealth simulations in the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) curriculum at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies.Methods:This quality improvement project used a posttest-only design. The Ottawa Model of Research Use guided the project. DNP students completed a peer-to-peer telehealth simulation scenario via Zoom.Results:DNP students demonstrated confidence with an average score of 2.875 out of 3. DNP students’ teaching performance scores were 2.7 out of 3. DNP students demonstrated effective overall telehealth performance with a mean score of 13.74 out of 15.Conclusion:DNP students may benefit from increased opportunities to practice telehealth, including the use of peer-to-peer simulation, to be aptly prepared for contemporary nursing practice.