The effect of home visit simulation on emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, empowerment, and stress in nursing students. A single group pre-post intervention study.

Background: Clinical simulation, the teaching methodology used in the Nursing Degree, helps students to acquire certain skills. Home visiting is a complex scenario in community care that requires certain critical skills in order to function successfully.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the improvement of self-efficacy, empowerment, management of emotions and perceived stress of nursing students through clinical simulation during home visits.

Design: A quasi-experimental study was carried out.

Participants: A sample of Students of the 2nd year of the Nursing Degree.

Methods: A high-fidelity simulation programme was implemented in two sessions. The variables that were measured were: self-efficacy (General Self-efficacy Scale), empowerment (Spreitzer Psychological Empowerment Scale), emotional intelligence (Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24), and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale).

Results: 170 students with a mean age of 22.2 years took part. An increase in general self-efficacy, self-determination, impact, empowerment (total score), and emotional clarity was observed after the intervention.

Conclusions: Clinical simulation as a teaching methodology allows the development of skills and competencies that are necessary for nursing students to be able to function in community settings such as home care. Therefore, this teaching methodology should be integrated into University Community Nursing training programmes.