Building Skills in Infection Prevention Through Simulation: Insights from Nursing Students in Brazil and Peru.

Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) require specific skills in nursing education, yet their curricular integration often remains fragmented, limiting the consolidation of knowledge and safe clinical practice. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of nursing students...

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Published in:Nursing Reports Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 14 - 33
Main Authors: Braga, Luciene Muniz, Prado-Junior, Pedro Paulo do, Siman, Andréia Guerra, Miranda, Talita Prado Simão, Prado, Mara Rúbia Maciel Cardoso do, Toledo, Luana Vieira, Siqueira-Batista, Rodrigo, Gomes, Andréia Patrícia, Vargas, Yanet Castro, Chihuantito-Abal, Luis Alberto, Aparicio, Edo Gallegos, Camero, Miluska Frisancho, Aparicio, Sdenka Caballero, Campos, José Efraín Larrea, Aliaga, Kelly Myriam Jiménez de, Tirado, Zoila Isabel Cárdenas, Yajahuanca, Rosario del Socorro Avellaneda, Sayaverde, Isaías Wilmer Dueñas, Constantino, Nely Esperanza Mundaca, Coronel, María Itila Díaz
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: MDPI Jan2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jan2026
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        atl: Building Skills in Infection Prevention Through Simulation: Insights from Nursing Students in Brazil and Peru.
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        au:
          Braga, Luciene Muniz
          Prado-Junior, Pedro Paulo do
          Siman, Andréia Guerra
          Miranda, Talita Prado Simão
          Prado, Mara Rúbia Maciel Cardoso do
          Toledo, Luana Vieira
          Siqueira-Batista, Rodrigo
          Gomes, Andréia Patrícia
          Vargas, Yanet Castro
          Chihuantito-Abal, Luis Alberto
          Aparicio, Edo Gallegos
          Camero, Miluska Frisancho
          Aparicio, Sdenka Caballero
          Campos, José Efraín Larrea
          Aliaga, Kelly Myriam Jiménez de
          Tirado, Zoila Isabel Cárdenas
          Yajahuanca, Rosario del Socorro Avellaneda
          Sayaverde, Isaías Wilmer Dueñas
          Constantino, Nely Esperanza Mundaca
          Coronel, María Itila Díaz
        affil: Departmento de Medicina e Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
      sug:
        subj:
          Students, Nursing, Baccalaureate Psychosocial Factors
          Students, Nursing, Baccalaureate Psychosocial Factors
          Student Attitudes Evaluation
          Infection Control Education
          Simulations Utilization
          Skill Acquisition Evaluation
          Cross Infection Prevention and Control
          Human
          Brazil
          Peru
          Funding Source
          Qualitative Studies
          Teaching Methods
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Interview Guides
          Content Analysis
          Learning Methods
          Confidence
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Professional Autonomy
          Occupational Safety
          Work Environment
          Multicenter Studies
          Professional Competence
          Conceptual Framework
          Reflection
          Focus Groups
          Purposive Sample
          Thematic Analysis
          Motivation
          Skill Retention
          Anxiety Prevention and Control
          Learning Theory
          Handwashing
          Personal Protective Equipment Utilization
          Suctioning, Nasopharyngeal
          Bandages and Dressings
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
      ab: Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) require specific skills in nursing education, yet their curricular integration often remains fragmented, limiting the consolidation of knowledge and safe clinical practice. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of nursing students from Brazil and Peru regarding the use of clinical simulation as a strategy to develop skills in HAIs prevention and control. Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, involving 12 focus groups (n = 297 students) across four universities. The discussions were conducted following simulation activities based on standardized scenarios structured into four phases: pre-reading, briefing, execution, and debriefing. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide flowed by content analysis, through which saturation was achieved. The study adhered to COREQ guidelines. Results: Three main themes emerged: (i) clinical simulation as a student-centered teaching–learning strategy, where pre-reading and briefing materials enhanced students' confidence and clarity in performing tasks, with checklists suggested to avoid omissions; (ii) simulation as a facilitator of autonomy and safety in HAI prevention, offering a protected environment for making mistakes and learning, with formative feedback during debriefing increasing risk awareness, although debriefing time was noted as an area for improvement; and (iii) meaningful learning and integration with traditional education, as students reported increased engagement, better knowledge retention, and greater perceived transfer of skills to real clinical settings. Conclusions: Clinical simulation demonstrated strong potential to support the development of HAI prevention skills in undergraduate nursing students. Longitudinal implementation with standardized scenarios and further evaluation of educational effectiveness and debriefing strategies is recommended.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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