Simulation Scenarios in the Context of Intensive Care Nurses’ Training: A Scoping Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

Introduction. Critical care settings are highly challenging due to their fast-paced environments, complex patient care, and the occurrence of ethical dilemmas. Simulation-based learning is an educational strategy for improving critical thinking, decision-making, and team performance. Simulation-based learning has proven beneficial in fostering patient safety among intensive care nurses and enabling risk-free practice. Thus, understanding the most utilised areas to focus on in intensive care training could help trainers structure nurses’ learning paths. Aim. Identify the areas most addressed in the simulation scenarios in the context of intensive care nurses’ training and underline differences and similarities in training across countries. Methods. A scoping review of the literature was conducted following the methodological guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute for scoping reviews and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. A comprehensive search was conducted on five databases from 1986 to March 2024. Results. We included 15 studies, which involved a total of 40 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) worldwide. The majority of studies were conducted in the USA (53%). The topics addressed in the intensive care nurse training contexts include seven thematic areas varying across countries: (1) cardiocirculatory management, (2) airway management, (3) delirium in intensive care, (4) end-of-life care, (5) burn patient care, (6) pharmacological and blood component safety, (7) trauma management. Cardiocirculatory and airway management were the most frequently addressed topics in simulation scenarios. Conclusion. The analysis highlighted heterogeneity in the thematic areas covered by various countries. A standardised international framework for nursing competencies would ensure better care across global healthcare systems.