Leadership in action: Innovative use of TeamSTEPPS^® and intraprofessional & interprofessional simulation that extends the boundaries of the classroom

Background: Nurse practitioners (NP) must be prepared to lead teams to meet the needs of an evolving health care system. Transitioning from a bedside nurse to a provider role is a significant challenge for students. Nurse educators tasked with preparing NP students must identify new teaching modalities to prepare students to lead in complex care settings.

TeamSTEPPS, an evidence-based framework, focuses on developing high functioning interprofessional teams. Integrating TeamSTEPPS training and providing students opportunities to apply the framework with “real” patients and followers in simulation may strengthen teamwork and the ability to lead.


Methods:
Faculty developed an intervention allowing AG-ACNP students to practice leadership with BSN students and respiratory therapists using simulation. Simulations occurred prior to and following training for AG-ACNP students (n=31). BSN students (n=83) delivered the interaction of “follower” participants. Research assistants rated NP students’ performance using TeamSTEPPS® 2.0 Team Performance Observation Tool (TPOT).

NP students were randomly assigned for training. The control group participated in “classroom” training, while the intervention group participated in “classroom” training enhanced with simulation vignettes.


Results: The TPOT consisted of 23 items. The mean item score increased for 22 of the 23 items. The increase was statistically significant for 15 of the 23 items, the five subscale means, and the total scale from pre-training to post-training for both the intervention and control group.


Conclusion: Evidence from this pilot study suggests TeamSTEPPS training and simulation enriched the learning experience and improved learner outcomes. Moreover, simulation enhanced TeamSTEPPS training showed promise in further improving performance.