Effectiveness of a Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse Delegation Communication Simulation to Improve Teamwork in Role Differentiation

Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) communication is critical for ensuring patient safety, improving the quality of care, and fostering cohesive healthcare teams. This study evaluated the impact of a collaborative simulation experience on nursing students' confidence in working together. As healthcare systems newly integrate LPNs into acute care settings, the need for RNs and LPNs to collaborate effectively has become important. However, communication gaps and misunderstandings about the scope of practice often affect teamwork that could lead to potential medical errors. To address this concern, a community college in Northeastern Pennsylvania implemented a simulation to improve communication, collaboration, and delegation between RN and LPN students. The study assessed pre- and post-simulation confidence levels related to communication, delegation, and teamwork through surveys. Surveys revealed that both RNs and LPNs identified increased comfort and confidence in communication and collaboration after the simulation. However, both groups also reported concerns during emergent situations such as feeling hesitant to delegate, possess poor communication skills, and overall lack a sense of urgency. Fortunately, all participants voiced the value of the experience and hoped for future similar simulation experiences. The students verbalized an appreciation for teamwork and areas for further improvement. This study suggests that simulation experiences can be an effective tool in enhancing communication and increase confidence in collaboration and delegation, but continued education and feedback are essential to ensure that these skills translate to realworld clinical settings.