Effects of Problem-Based Learning Based on Clinical Practice-based Nursing Simulation Education on Critical Thinking, Problem Solving Process, Knowledge and Confidence in nursing performance for Nursing Students

Objectives This study was conducted to verify the differences in critical thinking, problem-solving process, knowledge, and confidence in nursing performance of nursing students before and after the education program by applying problem-based learning based on clinical practice-based nursing simulation education, and to identify the relationship. Methods The participants were 73 nursing students at D University in S City. Problem-based learning based on clinical practice-based nursing simulation education was conducted for a total of 8 hours for 4 weeks, and data collection was from March 2 to April 22, 2022. It was a single-group before/after design experimental study, and data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 program using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, paired t-test, and Pearson's Correlation Coefficients. Results There were statistically significant difference in problem-solving process (t=-5.15, p〈.001), knowledge ((t=-4.94, p〈.001), and confidence in nursing performance (t=-12.39, p〈.001) before and after problem-Based Learning based on clinical practice-based nursing simulation education. On the other hand, critical thinking scores improved, but there was no significant difference (t=-.72, p=.472). In addition, critical thinking and problem-solving processes (r=.66, p=<.001) and confidence in nursing performance were significantly positive correlated with critical thinking (r=.33, p=.004) and problem-solving processes (r=.32, p=.005). Conclusions Problem-based learning based on clinical practice-based nursing simulation education has been confirmed to be an effective teaching and learning method that helps nursing students' problem-solving process, knowledge, and confidence in nursing performance. Through the results of this study, it can be used as evidence for systematic lesson design in problem-based learning based on clinical practice-based nursing simulation education.