Using Simulation to Develop Clinical Nursing Faculty Teaching of Ethics: A Pilot Project

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of clinical instructors participating in a simulated experience teaching ethics.

Background: Teaching ethics is an essential role of the clinical instructor. Limited information exists to guide instructors in the teaching of ethics in clinical settings. Clinical nursing instructors are often hired based on their experience as clinicians and are underprepared to teach ethics to nursing students during clinical instruction.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive interpretive approach was used to understand the experiences of clinical faculty who participated in simulation based learning activities that explored ways to include ethics in clinical teaching. A video, case studies, and role-playing provided an opportunity to practice responding to teaching challenges and explored strategies for guiding ethical learning in clinical teaching.

Results: Participants realized that ethics could be integrated into clinical teaching and seeking out ethical discussions with students is as important as teaching other nursing skills.

Conclusions: Using simulation based education is a means to prepare faculty to include ethics in clinical instruction.