Nurs Open. 2026 Sep;13(9):e70779. doi: 10.1002/nop2.70779.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: Newly graduated paediatric surgery nurses must be able to identify and handle potential risks to ensure patient safety. It is necessary to reinforce their understanding of their roles and responsibilities to achieve this goal. However, the limitations of traditional classroom-based teaching hinder the exploration of learners’ potential. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Jeffries simulation framework in improving the core competence of new graduate nurses in paediatric surgery.
DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study, descriptive design following STROBE checklist.
METHODS: A quasi-experimental methodology with a pretest/posttest design was used. The study involved 60 new graduate paediatric nurses who work in the paediatric surgery department of a level A tertiary hospital in Southwest China. Clinical scenario simulation cases, which were designed based on the Jeffries simulation framework, were used to improve clinical competence. Before and after the training, teachers assessed each nurse’s core competency and clinical decision-making ability by the Chinese Registered Nurse Core Competency Scale (CIRN) and the Clinical Decision-Making in Nursing Scale (CDMNS). In addition, participants provided self-reported reflective feedback during the debriefing sessions following each simulation scenario.
RESULTS: Across all 60 newly graduated paediatric surgical nurses, significant improvements in clinical competence were observed following the simulation-based training (p < 0.001). The total score of core competence increased significantly from 118.48 ± 8.84 pre-training to 142.56 ± 6.11 post-training, with a mean difference of 24.08 ± 9.51 points. Similarly, the total score of clinical decision-making ability showed a marked improvement, rising from 83.92 ± 2.43 to 91.15 ± 3.24, representing a mean increase of 7.23 ± 4.17 points. Moreover, the dimensions of ‘clinical nursing’, ‘critical thinking/scientific’ and ‘clear goals and values’ also showed significant improvements.
CONCLUSION: Training new graduate paediatric nurses via the Jeffries simulation framework can enhance their clinical competence by helping them internalize knowledge and skills and improve their core competencies and clinical decision-making abilities.
PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The study analysed the core competency levels of newly graduated paediatric surgery nurses, providing a valuable reference for the management, training and evaluation of these nurses as well as establishing qualification criteria for paediatric specialist nurses. Identifying the factors that influence core competitiveness is crucial for developing standardized training programmes and enhancing the construction of nursing safety and paediatric nursing talent.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry registration number: ChiCTR2400082003.
PMID:42702081 | DOI:10.1002/nop2.70779
