Student Nurses' Assessment of Medical Errors

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of nursing students' assessment of cases of medical error. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 145 nursing students in Izmir, Turkey. The epidemiology of the medical errors that the students witnessed during clinical practice was examined. Then, the success of the students in using the Text-Based Medical Error cases tool developed by the researchers was examined. Results: Of the students, 24.1% had witnessed medical errors during clinical practice. The percentage of students successfully analyzing cases of medical errors related to patient identification, falling, medication administration, blood transfusions, health-care-associated infections, and pressure ulcers were 51.72%, 7.59%, 17.24%, 8.28%, 45.52%, and 56.55%, respectively. Conclusion: The students' ability to evaluate cases of medical error needs improvement

Effect of an aged simulation suit on nursing students' attitudes and empathy

Purpose Today, with an increasingly older population, it is essential to have well-educated and well-prepared nurses who can meet the health-related needs of geriatric patients but in some cases students have difficulty in understanding and empathizing with older persons. the impact of use of an aged simulation suit on the empathy and attitudes of nursing students towards older persons was investigated in this study. Methods A descriptive mixed-methods study was conducted, using the Basic Empathy Scale, the Kogan's Attitude towards Old People Scale, and semi-structured interviews. Results the Kogan's Attitude towards Old People Scale mean scores and the Basic Empathy Scale mean scores showed that there was a statistically significant increase in the empathy and attitude scores of students from the high-score group after they had carried out tasks using an aged simulation suit. A total of four themes were determined through data analysis. Conclusion the use of an aged simulation suit proved to be an effective educational technique which made a positive contribution towards nursing students' development of empathy and also made a positive change in their attitude towards older persons. Key summary pointsAim To explore the effect of use of an aged simulation suit on the empathy and attitudes of nursing students towards older persons (e.g., older age people, geriatric patients). Findings Use of an aged simulation suit may help students overcome challenges in demonstrating empathy and positive attitudes toward older persons. Message It is important to determine the level of empathy among new students entering the school of nursing and to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills for developing empathy towards older persons.Scientific Research Projects Coordination Center of Aydin Adnan Menderes University in Aydin, Turkey [SSYO-17002]This study was funded by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Center of Aydin Adnan Menderes University with the SSYO-17002 project number in Aydin, Turkey