Community Health Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Self-Confidence, Satisfaction, and Learning Through Standardized Patient Simulations

This study explores community health nursing students’ perceptions of standardized patient simulations in relation to self-confidence, satisfaction, and perceived learning effectiveness. Background: Standardized patients are commonly used in nursing education to provide realistic, practice-based learning experiences. They can support student engagement, skill development, and confidence, while also shaping students’ perceptions of their learning outcomes. A quasi-experimental study without a control group was conducted at the University of Tabuk simulation unit. Data were collected from 76 participants between October 1 and November 1, 2023, using the Educational Practice in Simulation Scale (EPSS), the Student Satisfaction in Learning Scale (SSL), and the Self-Confidence in Learning Scale (SCL). The study involved 3 weeks of simulation sessions, and statistical analyses included Cronbach’s α, t -tests, correlation analyses, and repeated measures ANOVAs. Additionally, qualitative data were gathered through open-ended questions. Quantitative findings from the EPSS reflected positive evaluations of active learning, collaboration, diverse learning methods, and high expectations. No significant gender differences were observed. SSL and SCL scores indicated generally high levels of satisfaction and self-confidence. The qualitative analysis emphasized the realism of the simulation, students’ proactive learning attitudes, and the value of teamwork and communication. Standardized patient simulations were positively perceived by students, particularly regarding self-confidence, satisfaction, and learning effectiveness. While the findings highlight the educational value of such simulations, further research using objective outcome measures and comparative designs is needed to strengthen causal inferences and explore broader applications

Community health · Health care · Nurse education · Perception · Problem-based learning · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Teamwork · Healthcare Education and Workforce Issues · Innovations in Medical Education · Simulation-Based Education in Healthcare