HSC Education Days
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2-3-2023
Abstract
The idea of failure is a daunting one in any health care profession. In an academic world filled with high stakes exams, an emphasis on high test scores, and exemplary clinical performance, the idea of failure can be very scary. However, to be completely without error is not a realistic expectation. Educators should consider ways to allow students to make mistakes in a safe environment, and let them become accustomed to not having all the answers. One way to incorporate the idea that nursing students can learn from their failures is using active learning strategies in didactic classes with evolving case studies. However, evolving case studies, while good at promoting critical thinking, are a bit inflexible. Many case studies are written with a pre-determined outcome. The answers the student gives have no effect on the case study outcome.Creating a case study with multiple outcomes, ones that are dependent on student choices, allows the student to have more investment in their answers. This also mimics bedside practice, where the choices of the practitioner directly affect the condition of the patient, but in a safe environment. The Choose Your Own Adventure (CYOA) case study is a method currently being utilized in level four and level five undergraduate nursing students. Students are presented information in a didactic class through a PowerPoint. Questions are presented clinical information and a question using a multiple choice format. The different answer options have a hyperlink that takes the student to different areas in the case study. Using this method, the instructor can change the trajectory of the case study patient based on what the student chooses. This allows students to learn from mistakes in a safe environment. This format of case study can be created using a PowerPoint presentation, and is only limited by the imagination of the writer. Students can be taught not to fear their mistakes, and turn them into powerful learning tools.
Recommended Citation
Sanchez, Crystal. "Finding Success in Failure." (2023). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc_ed_day/137
Comments
This poster was presented during the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Education Days.