Abstract
Registered Nurses (RNs) face distractions during work, with studies showing interruptions occur 6-12 times per hour (Wagner et al., 2020). Interruptions compromise nurses' efficiency and safety by diverting attention, increasing task completion time(Wang et al., 2021). Addressing these challenges requires involvement from healthcare management(HM) responsible for promoting a supportive and safe environment. By displaying empathy, HM can positively influence behaviors that support nurse work environments(Baker, 2017). HM must also understand the impact of interruptions to implement strategies ensuring quality patient care. This study explored the potential of simulation-based interprofessional education(Sim-IPE) to foster awareness of nursing students and empathy among HM students regarding interruptions. The purpose was to describe senior nursing and HM students' experiences in a Sim-IPE. This qualitative descriptive study was a content analysis of narrative responses to five open-ended questions in a post-simulation reflective survey focused on nurse interruptions. The simulation was embedded in a senior leadership course as part of students' standard education. Purposive sampling was used to recruit nursing and healthcare management students. Participants were assigned to the RN, family member, or observer role. Participants in the role of the RN recorded errors made during the simulation. Forty-two senior nursing students participated in this study; no HM students agreed to participate. Findings revealed three themes: 1.Patient Safety Amid Interruptions as a Shared Responsibility 2. Empathetic Advocacy when Making Business Decisions in the Real World, and 3.Impact of Interruptions on Well-being. All RN role participants reported errors, with patient consent being the most frequently occurring. Simulation-based education has increased awareness of interruptions and emphasizes the importance of interruption management(Hill et al., 2022; Labrague et al., 2018). Senior nursing students found the simulation realistic and valuable and noted the necessity of including HM students to enhance their understanding of the realities of nursing practice. This study contributes to the literature by providing insights into the challenges of interruptions and their potential impact on patient care. Findings support the need for Sim-IPE to foster empathy among future leaders, enabling them to make informed decisions within the complexities of the nurse work environment.
Notes
References:
1.Baker, D. F. (2017). Teaching empathy and ethical decision making in business schools. Journal of Management Education, 41(4), 575–598. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052562917699028
2.Hill, P. P., Díaz, D. A., Anderson, M., Talbert, S., & Maraj, C. (2022). Using simulation-based education to teach interruption management skills: An integrative review. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 64, 46–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2021.12.002
3. Labrague, L. J., McEnroe–Petitte, D. M., Fronda, D. C., & Obeidat, A. A. (2018). Interprofessional simulation in undergraduate nursing program: An integrative review. Nurse Education Today, 67, 46-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.05.001
4. Wagner, E. A., Fuhrmann, S., Brant, A., VanCamp, C., Dettore, J., & Guzman, Y. (2020). Interruptions then and now: Impact on nurses' clinical reasoning, emotions, and medication safety. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 36(6), 338–344. https://doi.org/10.1097/NND.0000000000000667
5. Wang, W., Jin, L., Zhao, X., Li, Z., & Han, W. (2021). Current status and influencing factors of nursing interruption events. The American Journal of Managed Care, 27(6), e188–e194. https://doi.org/10.37765/ajmc.2021.88667
Sigma Membership
Eta Beta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Simulation, Interprofessional, Interdisciplinary, Transition to Practice, Onboarding, Interprofessional and Global Collaboration, Managing Interruptions
Recommended Citation
Rochman, Monica F.; Lamarra, Teresa; Kobner, Danielle; Pariseault, Christine A.; Barnes, Hiliary; and Al Abrawi, Said, "Nursing Students’ Perspectives on Interruptions and Healthcare Management's Role" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 104.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/104
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Publisher-submission
Date of Issue
2025-11-21
Funder(s)
Sigma Theta Tau International. Eta Beta Chapter
Nursing Students’ Perspectives on Interruptions and Healthcare Management's Role
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Registered Nurses (RNs) face distractions during work, with studies showing interruptions occur 6-12 times per hour (Wagner et al., 2020). Interruptions compromise nurses' efficiency and safety by diverting attention, increasing task completion time(Wang et al., 2021). Addressing these challenges requires involvement from healthcare management(HM) responsible for promoting a supportive and safe environment. By displaying empathy, HM can positively influence behaviors that support nurse work environments(Baker, 2017). HM must also understand the impact of interruptions to implement strategies ensuring quality patient care. This study explored the potential of simulation-based interprofessional education(Sim-IPE) to foster awareness of nursing students and empathy among HM students regarding interruptions. The purpose was to describe senior nursing and HM students' experiences in a Sim-IPE. This qualitative descriptive study was a content analysis of narrative responses to five open-ended questions in a post-simulation reflective survey focused on nurse interruptions. The simulation was embedded in a senior leadership course as part of students' standard education. Purposive sampling was used to recruit nursing and healthcare management students. Participants were assigned to the RN, family member, or observer role. Participants in the role of the RN recorded errors made during the simulation. Forty-two senior nursing students participated in this study; no HM students agreed to participate. Findings revealed three themes: 1.Patient Safety Amid Interruptions as a Shared Responsibility 2. Empathetic Advocacy when Making Business Decisions in the Real World, and 3.Impact of Interruptions on Well-being. All RN role participants reported errors, with patient consent being the most frequently occurring. Simulation-based education has increased awareness of interruptions and emphasizes the importance of interruption management(Hill et al., 2022; Labrague et al., 2018). Senior nursing students found the simulation realistic and valuable and noted the necessity of including HM students to enhance their understanding of the realities of nursing practice. This study contributes to the literature by providing insights into the challenges of interruptions and their potential impact on patient care. Findings support the need for Sim-IPE to foster empathy among future leaders, enabling them to make informed decisions within the complexities of the nurse work environment.
Description
This study explored students’ perspectives regarding nurse interruptions and the management role. A qualitative analysis of forty-two student nurses’ reflective responses post simulation(Sim) revealed three themes: shared responsibility for patient safety, empathetic advocacy in decision-making, and impact of interruptions on well-being. Findings support the need for interprofessional Sim to foster empathy, reduce errors, and prepare future nurses and leaders to address nursing challenges.