Page 505 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

472 n Sleep SCIenCe

(2009) Framework for Simulation learning
in nursing education, which combines Sleep Science
S learning (Fink, 2003), ecological, and nurs-
ing theories such as caring (eggenberger
& Keller, 2008), reflective practice (Tanner, Sleep is a fundamental lifestyle behavior
2006b), and vigilance (meyer & lavin, that fits with nursing human health ecology
2005). Research using these frameworks perspectives, that is, people in fit with their
may provide more rigorous testing of the environments. Sleep behavior is seen as a
connection between simulation, learning, function of three interactive components:
and clinical practice. (1) a sleep drive that modulates alertness/
In summary, there are many advantages sleepiness as it waxes and wanes in con-
to the use of simulation for the education cert with the relative balance of brain
of new nurses and continuing education of neuro chemicals, (2) a circadian feature that
practicing nurses. Simulation provides an functions in synchrony with the 24-hour
opportunity to practice teamwork to enhance light–dark environmental cycle, and (3) a
critical thinking skills, clinical performance, behavioral component by which individuals
and competence. There are potential program can willfully facilitate or dampen sleepiness
and agency assessment advantages, allowing driven by the other components. Thus, sleep
for testing of student and staff competencies is a neurobehavioral phenomenon such that
in a controlled environment with reproduc- brain functions, either physical or mental,
ible and predictable results, time-stamped can disrupt sleep. When reduced, absent, or
data output, and evaluation. disturbed, sleep has numerous health-related
Some of the challenges include the consequences, including impaired attention,
financial constraints of equipment purchase, memory, and problem solving as well as
building renovations, and staff/educator/ physical performance, altered immune sys-
student training and resources. Although tem function, and tissue healing, and in some
federal and state funds are available, schools cases it may herald early onset of psychiatric
and agencies are still looking for unique impairment, particularly major depression.
ways to raise funds, including grants, advi- For individuals and society, the burden of
sory boards, and partnerships (Appel, poor sleep is substantial; stemming from
Campbell, lynch, & novotny, 2007; harlow vulnerabilities to injury accidents, absences
& Sportsman, 2007). from work, medical problems, provider vis-
Research and further work is still needed its, and hospitalizations.
in the areas of (1) creating evidenced-based Although the study of sleep regulation
clinical simulation scenarios; (2) enhancing began to emerge in the 1920s, it was not until
the use of theory-based research for the study about the 1950s that sustained study of sleep
of the effect of simulation on student, nurse, began to escalate appreciably and this has
and patient outcomes; (3) developing tools for continued particularly over the past 40 to
use in evaluating simulations (harder, 2010) 50 years. In medical sleep science, foci have
using examples from others who have tested often been on sleep-related disorders such as
various methods of evaluation (gantt, 2010; sleep apnea and narcolepsy. however, most
glavin & gaba, 2008); and (4) using simula- often studied in nursing science is insomnia,
tions to teach patient safety behaviors to the commonest sleep difficulty and defined
nursing students (gantt & Webb-Corbett, as self-report of poor quality or amount
2010) and to reinforce it with nursing staff of sleep or awakening from sleep with-
(Kuehster & hall, 2010). out feeling refreshed. Insomnia can be epi-
sodic and temporary (often associated with
Suzanne Hetzel Campbell stressful social circumstances or personal