S.O.S. Training

Simulation Optimizing Synergy

To address bedside nurse retention and improve patient outcomes in a community hospital, a collaborative quality improvement initiative was implemented to meet the patient’s needs and strengthen our registered nurses workforce by enhancing the delivery of patient care through the implementation of Synergy Model.  Through realistic simulation we are able to develop nurses with the right competencies to meet the needs of the patients resulting in the right outcomes.

Nursing leadership recognized the need for a strategy to empower the nurses and strengthen clinical decision making, collaboration, clinical inquiry, and clinical judgment skills as well as link the competencies of the nurse to the patient needs for the best outcomes. A literature search was conducted on nursing theories and care delivery models. The AACN Synergy model was selected based on the integration of the organization’s goals with the model’s tenets. 

To accomplish the goals, the training was approached differently shifting the focus from task driven to process and systems thinking with team learning.  Skills such as critical thinking and decision making are developed through experiential learning.  Simulations and tracers are conducted to mimic reality and provide safe clinical experiences to learn difficult skills. The simulation training is driven by the patient’s needs and evidenced based practice with structured debriefing at the end of each scenario for reflective learning.  Specific curriculum threads like, AACN core skills, synergy model, and healthy work environments, as well as patient safety and the culture of the organization was integrated throughout the training.

Through the facilitated simulation experiences and guided reflection, the learner builds more self-confidence in their abilities resulting in greater application in the clinical setting.  Nurses are better prepared to recognize patient needs creating synergy.  As a result of this training, simulation optimizes synergy.