Effectiveness of Simulation linked Problem Based Learning on Nursing College Students in South Korea

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of simulation with problem based learning on learning self-efficacy, critical thinking disposition and problem solving ability on nursing students in South Korea. The study was used one group pre-post test design, conducted on 65 nursing students in C Province and from August 27th to November 14th 2018. The study purpose was explained to the subject and a written informed consent was obtained. The participants were divided into three classes of five groups each. Every group consisted of four to five students. Simulation linked problem based learning was conducted for a total of nine hours: three hours a week over a period of three weeks. The differences between self-efficacy, problem solving ability, and critical thinking tendency were examined before and after simulation linked problem based learning. Data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire and analyzed using t-test, paired-t-test, Pearson's correlation. The scores of learning self-efficacy and critical thinking disposition after the simulation with problem-based learning were significantly higher than before simulation with problem-based learning. Learning self-efficacy after S-PBL had a significant positive correlation with critical thinking tendency and problem-solving ability, and there was a correlation between critical thinking tendency and the degree of problem-solving ability. As simulation with problem based learning improves the learning self-efficacy and critical thinking disposition of nursing students, it is necessary to develop scenarios based on various clinical cases and to operate a learning method to experience the problem-solving process.