Simulator and Standardized Patient Training for Cardiopulmonary Examination Skills in Nursing Students

Cardiopulmonary physical examination is a fundamental nursing skill that is essential for the early recognition of patient problems and safe clinical decision-making. Nursing students often experience difficulties in developing competence and confidence in performing cardiac and pulmonary assessment skills during their early clinical education. This quasi-experimental study aims to compare the effects of simulation-based training and standardized patient-based training on first-year nursing students' cardiopulmonary physical examination outcomes. The study will evaluate knowledge, clinical skill performance, learning satisfaction, self-confidence, and anxiety levels before and after the educational interventions. Participants will be first-year nursing students enrolled in a health assessment course. Students will be assigned to either a simulation-based training group or a standardized patient-based training group. Data will be collected using knowledge tests, skill assessment checklists, satisfaction and self-confidence scales, and anxiety measures. The findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based nursing education by identifying effective teaching strategies for improving cardiopulmonary assessment competence among nursing students.