Designing Effective Scripts and Resources to Support Simulated Practice, Using Basic Life Support as an Exemplar

Abstract

This is the third instalment in a series of papers featured in this journal, focusing on the application of mental simulation in nursing. This specific article addresses the pervasive issue of skill decay in Basic Life Support (BLS) training, proposing an innovative solution through the integration of mental simulation. Despite mandatory annual BLS updates for nurses, evidence suggests a decline in skills over time, posing risks to patient safety. Traditional methods, reliant on face-to-face sessions, may not sufficiently prevent skill decay, particularly in time-sensitive scenarios. The article advocates for mental simulation as a complementary and accessible approach to augment traditional BLS training. Focused on the vivid mental rehearsal of actions, mental simulation offers a promising avenue for nurses, seeking to reinforce correct techniques and deepen their understanding of BLS interventions. Guided by the physical, environment, task, timing, learning, emotion, perspective (PETTLEP) framework, the discussion navigates through the practical application of mental simulation. The framework serves as a model for crafting scenario scripts, emphasising each of the PETTLEP elements. Recommendations include the incorporation of progressive scripts aligned with learners’ evolving knowledge, providing a nuanced approach to skill enhancement. Authenticity is emphasised through the integration of real experiences into scripts, adopting a first-person perspective, and incorporating sound effects. While acknowledging challenges such as empirical testing and individual differences, the paper concludes by highlighting the potential of mental simulation to bridge gaps in nursing education. In offering a practical and immersive learning experience, mental simulation emerges as a valuable tool for nurses aiming to optimise their BLS proficiency, ultimately contributing to enhanced patient safety.