Document Type

Capstone

Improving Nursing Student Confidence in Recognizing Patient Deterioration: A Comparison of Teaching Methods Using the Clinical Judgment Model in Active Learning vs Traditional Lecture

Authors

Victoria A. SanbornFollow

Associated Faculty

Amanda Savage

Sponsoring Academic Department

Nursing

Publication Date

5-1-2025

Abstract/ Summary

Nurse educators have the responsibility to prepare undergraduate nursing students for a successful transition into practice. Many new graduate nurses struggle to recognize patient deterioration; 29% failed to recognize urgency or a change in a patient's condition, and 57% demonstrated opportunities to grow in managing a patient’s problem. The research shows that confidence in recognizing patient deterioration is directly related to the teaching methods used in the undergraduate classroom. Active Learning (AL) has been shown to be more effective than Traditional Lecture (TL) in strengthening clinical judgment, as outlined in the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM). After a thorough literature search, fifteen research articles were identified, consisting of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and case studies from which an AL experience was created called Mystery Patient in a Box. Undergraduate nursing students completed a five-question Likert-scale survey before and after participating in this AL experience. The AL pre-assessment results indicated that only 38% of students felt confident in recognizing cues of acute kidney injury deterioration, whereas post-assessment confidence increased to 90%, demonstrating a 52% improvement. These findings show increased student confidence levels, showcasing that they are more likely to engage, gain critical thinking, and clinical judgment. Undergraduate nursing programs should encourage educators to incorporate AL into their curriculum to ensure nursing students are better prepared to recognize patient deterioration. Further research is needed to solidify the need for AL in undergraduate nursing curriculums and the long-term impacts on clinical competency and patient outcomes.

Repository Citation

Sanborn, Victoria A., "Improving Nursing Student Confidence in Recognizing Patient Deterioration: A Comparison of Teaching Methods Using the Clinical Judgment Model in Active Learning vs Traditional Lecture" (2025). Non-Thesis Student Work. 92.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/student_work/92

Version

other