Incorporating Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Cardiac Arrest Simulation Program Into Nursing Staff Continuing Professional Development

BACKGROUND:The Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice (RCDP) is an innovative team-based simulation method that has been shown to be effective particularly in cardiac arrest education. Via a partnership between an educational institution and a hospital, the RCDP cardiac arrest simulation program was developed to improve nurses' cardiac arrest response preparation. METHOD:A pre- and posttest educational intervention study design was used. Participants included staff nurses (n = 89) who underwent a 2-hour RCDP simulation. The adapted version of the Simulation Effectiveness Tool–Modified and a five-question pre- and posttest knowledge survey were used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. RESULTS:The simulation program increased participants' knowledge of cardiac arrest response (p < .05) and improved their confidence in communication (p = .036) and assessment skills (p = .029). CONCLUSION:The RCDP cardiac arrest simulation is an effective strategy for increasing nurses' confidence and knowledge in cardiopulmonary resuscitation delivery. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(6):274–279.]