Effectiveness of Simulation Technique on Pediatric Life Support Competencies among Nursing Students: A Pre-Experimental Study

Pediatric Life Support (PLS) competencies are essential for nursing students to effectively manage pediatric emergencies. Limited exposure to real-life pediatric emergencies during clinical postings often results in inadequate preparedness among nursing students. Simulation-based education offers experiential learning opportunities in a safe environment, enhancing competence and confidence without compromising patient safety. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation technique on Pediatric Life Support competencies among nursing students. A pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was adopted among 67 students from fifth-semester B.Sc. Nursing selected through total enumeration sampling. PLS competency was assessed using a structured questionnaire before and two weeks after a 20-minute hands-on simulation-based PLS training. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The median pretest score was 5 (4,6), which improved to 6 (5,7) in the posttest, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The findings indicate that simulation-based teaching significantly improved Pediatric Life Support competencies among nursing students. Integration of structured simulation-based PLS training into undergraduate nursing curricula is recommended to enhance preparedness for pediatric emergencies.