Use of simulation in nursing education : Initial experiences on a European Union Lifelong Learning Programme

AIM: The European Union(EU) Lifelong Learning Programme Leonardo Da Vinci Transfer of Innovation Project started in 2010 and involved 7 partners from 3 different countries including Turkey, England and Italy. The aim of this paper is to share initial experiences and learning on this project. METHODS: The project is divided into 7 work packages(WP). In this paper, experiences of the first three WPs(WP1: Preparation and dissemination of the project. WP2: Regulation of the project’s management. WP3: Development of the tools used to evaluate the impact of the innovative practice within the coordinating partner’s institution) are shared. RESULTS: For WP1 and WP2:the kick-off meeting was organized in the coordinating partner’s country. During the meeting, events were planned and the steering committee for the project was formed. A strong team spirit within the partnership was established. For the dissemination, a poster was prepared and put on each partners’ institutional website. In the WP3:student data sheets, items for measuring students’ satisfaction and confidence, and scenario cases about trauma patients were created to measure the target group’s knowledge. Ethical approval was obtained. A pilot study to test the cases was conducted. Following the pilot study, a revised version of student data sheet and cases was created. A two-day meeting was organized in Italy. At this meeting the participants discussed and evaluated the results of the pilot study including cases and the student satisfaction and self confidence questions, all in an effort to identify educational needs of the participating students. CONCLUSION: This is an ongoing project. Considering that learning from experience is an important part of nursing education, it is critical to share experiences on this EU project related to using simulation. It is an innovative teaching strategy in nursing education, one which should provide an example for the others who want to develop EU projects in nursing education.