Effectiveness of Simulation-Based Learning in Clinical Skill Development Among First- and Second-Year Nursing Students at Sally Mugabe School of Nursing, 2025

Abstract

This study critically evaluates the effectiveness of simulation-based learning (SBL) in enhancing clinical skill development among first and second-year nursing students at Harare School of Nursing in 2025, addressing the pressing need to improve practical competencies amid resource constraints in Zimbabwe. The main objective is to determine whether simulation can significantly improve students’ clinical skills, confidence, decision-making, and preparedness for real-world practice, using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative assessments through pre- and post-intervention Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and qualitative insights from focus group discussions (FGDs). The sample comprised 55 purposively selected students, representing both early stages of training, with data collected via questionnaires, FGDs, and observation checklists, guided by Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, which emphasizes active experience, reflection, conceptualization, and application. The findings reveal statistically significant improvements in students’ clinical competence, high perceptions of scenario realism, increased confidence, and motivation, alongside positive attitudes toward simulation’s role in skill transfer and soft skills development. However, infrastructural challenges such as limited access to high-fidelity simulators and faculty training persist, posing barriers to optimal implementation. The study recommends increased investment in simulation infrastructure, faculty capacity building, curriculum integration of diverse simulation modalities, and policy support to foster sustainable and contextually relevant simulation practices. These findings underscore simulation’s potential as a transformative pedagogical tool in resource-limited settings, contributing to the development of competent, confident nurses capable of meeting Zimbabwe’s healthcare needs.