The effect of a simulation game on nursing students' reflective thinking skills

The study was carried out using mixed method to examine the effects of simulation game "The Ward" on senior nursing students' reflective thinking skills. 23 students were voluntarily participated in the study as a result of power analysis. During study, simulation game "The Ward" was conducted with students once a week for seven (7) weeks. Data were collected using "Personal Information Form", "Kolb Learning Styles Inventory", "Reflective Thinking Level Scale", "Debriefing Form" , "Two-Column Writings" and "Game Wiev Survey". Descriptive statistics, t test for dependent groups, Kruskall Wallis tests were used for analyzing quantitative data, and content analysis for qualitative data. It was detected "The Ward" administered for seven (7) weeks significantly improved students' reflective thinking skills, was considered fun, got people to feel a sense of team work and acquire new perspectives. That group answers were heard by others was stated as a negative aspect of the game. As a result, it was found students who improved their reflective thinking skills noticed their shortcomings and mislearnings by comparing their existing knowledge and opinions to those of others' in setting of teamwork and cooperation created by the game, and consequently students' motivation increased or decreased. It was also determined students improved their perspectives and effective decision-making skills by analysing different views and developed confidence. Accordingly, it is suggested nurses' educational programme be reexamined and restructured using new methods and strategies aimed at improving students' reflective thinking skills. Keywords: Nursing, Nursing students, Nursing education, Reflective thinking, Simulation game.