Factors affecting the perceived stress and anxiety of novice nursing students in high-fidelity simulation education: a secondary qualitative analysis of focus group interviews†
Abstract
Objective
To gain insight into the potential factors that may cause perceived stress and anxiety in simulation education.
Methods
A secondary qualitative analysis study using qualitative thematic synthesis. A local higher education institution that conducted pre-registration nursing programs. A total of 189 undergraduate nursing students that were never attained any clinical placement prior to the parent study. Focus group interviews were conducted to collect data that were then transcribed and analyzed through the qualitative thematic synthesis approach to develop themes.
Results
Three themes were emerged from the participants’ simulation experiences in terms of peoples (the observers vs the observed), actions (the prepared vs the unprepared), and settings (the realism vs the simulation).
Conclusions
By considering and reviewing the current design and development of the simulation practice, the findings of this study contribute to the body of knowledge with valuable insights on stress and anxiety that may affect students’ learning in simulation.
© 2025 Natalie Lee Po-man, Alice Chan Mei-ling, Florence Wong Mei-Fung, published by Shanxi Medical Periodical Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.