The effect of screen-based simulation training on self-efficacy in pediatric drug applications and self-confidence in learning among nursing students

Within the scope of public health nursing practices; Pediatric medication practices are carried out in family health centers, schools, and home health care services. However, it is stated that students graduating from nursing education programs experience anxiety about drug administration in children. Screen-based simulation, which can contribute to the lecture during face-to-face education and reduce students' anxiety, and can be an alternative to in-class applications in cases where face-to-face education is interrupted; Studies on drug administration in children have not been found in the literature. This study is an experimental randomized controlled trial conducted to evaluate the effect of screen-based simulation training on nursing students' self-efficacy in pediatric medication administration and self-confidence in learning. The population of the study was among nursing students of Balıkesir University Faculty of Health Sciences in the 2023-2024 academic year "2. And the 3rd year consists of a total of 206 nursing students. In the research, no sample selection was made; instead, an intervention and a control group were created. The data for the study, which followed a pre-test-post-test design, was collected using the "Sociodemographic Characteristics Form," the "Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale Used in Simulation Education," and the "Medication Self-Efficacy Scale in Children for Nursing Students." The data was analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, mixed design dependent analysis of variance, t-tests for dependent groups, and t-tests for independent groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of descriptive characteristics (p>0.05). There was no difference in pre-test scores between the groups on the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale Used in Simulation Education, but a significant difference was detected in the post-test results (p<0.05). The scale showed no significant difference between pre-test and post-test results in the control group (p>0.05), while a significant difference was found between pre-test and post-test results in the intervention group (p<0.05). When the results of the Self-Efficacy Scale for Medication Administration in Children for Nursing Students were evaluated, there was no difference in pre-test scores between the groups, but a significant difference was detected in the post-test results (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test results in the control group for this scale (p>0.05), while a significant increase was found between the pre-test and post-test results in the intervention group (p<0.05). Based on these results, it was determined that screen-based simulation had a positive effect on nursing students' self-efficacy in administering medications to children, as well as on their student satisfaction and self-confidence in learning. Keywords: Nursing education, pediatric medication practices, simulation