Nursing students' perception on transferring experiences in palliative care simulation to practice

Background: Learning palliative care is challenging for nursing students. Simulation is recommended as a learning approach. Whether experiences from simulation transfer into clinical practice must be investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore nursing students' experiences of participating in palliative care simulation and examine how they describe the perceived transfer of knowledge, skills, and competence into clinical practise. Method: This prospective, qualitative study was comprised of 11 in-depth interviews with second-year bachelor nursing students. Content analysis was performed to analyse the answers to open-ended questions. Results: From this sample, simulation is a preferred method to gather knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards palliative care. Realistic cases stimulated senses and feelings. Courage grew through active participation and debriefing and influenced the students' self-confidence. Debriefing seemed to alter the situation from one of chaos to control. Conclusions: Experiences from the simulation were perceived to transfer to practice, serve as a sound basis for clinical judgement, and enable communication with patients and their relatives. Continuity in learning through simulation combined with practice is highlighted.