New Model Empowers Nursing Staff
The Power in Practice model transforms nursing simulation sessions with a four-stage debriefing sequence to boost psychological safety and recognize nurse leadership
A new clinical simulation model called Power in Practice has been developed to strengthen the empowerment and autonomy of nursing staff. The model, led by researcher Laura Macià Casòliva from Althaia, in collaboration with Carlota Riera Claret from UVic-UCC and Clara Selva Olid from the Behavioural Design Lab (BDLab), was published in the scientific journal Clinical Simulation in Nursing.
The Power in Practice model proposes a four-stage sequence for debriefing: Feel, Think, See, and Move. The first stage, Feel, focuses on emotions and psychological safety, while the subsequent stages build on this foundation to optimize learning. This approach aims to improve psychological safety and recognize the voices and leadership of nursing staff within the healthcare system.
The study underpinning the development of the Power in Practice model involved an in-depth analysis of nurses' real-life experiences during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and during simulation-based education. This research highlighted the need for a more nuanced approach to clinical simulation, one that prioritizes nurse empowerment and emotional management.
Debriefings, which are structured, reflective conversations held after a simulation or clinical situation, play a crucial role in the Power in Practice model. By redefining debriefing as a four-stage sequence, the model encourages reflective dialogue about how practitioners feel and the impact of their decisions, ultimately improving psychological safety and recognizing nurse leadership.
## Why it matters The Power in Practice model addresses a significant gap in existing clinical simulation approaches, which have traditionally focused on technical skills and compliance with medical standards. By prioritizing care ethics, relational presence with patients, and emotional management among nurses, this model has the potential to transform the way nursing simulation sessions are analyzed and conducted. As a result, nursing staff may experience increased empowerment and autonomy, leading to better patient care and outcomes.
The Power in Practice model builds on existing approaches by making nurse empowerment one of the key aims of the reflective practice. This shift in focus recognizes the critical role that nursing staff play in the healthcare system and seeks to amplify their voices and leadership. By adopting this model, healthcare organizations may be able to foster a more supportive and inclusive environment for nursing staff, ultimately leading to improved patient care and outcomes.
