Nursing Simulation Debriefing: Useful Tools

Abstract

The value of simulation-based education can be lost without a structured and purposeful guided debrief where nursing students and health care professionals are able to think critically and reflect on the experiential learning. Debriefing enhances peer-to-peer learning and aids the nursing student in formulating best practice for the next time when this encounter may occur in the clinical setting. Debriefing should be led by a trained facilitator using evidence-based methods to ensure a safe learning environment for nursing students. Debriefing is an essential learning tool that should be considered for application in the classroom, clinical, and laboratory settings.

Keywords: Debriefing; Experiential learning; Facilitation; Feedback; Guided reflection; Simulation-based education.