Date
10-16-2025
Department
School of Nursing
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Chair
Tonia Kennedy
Keywords
Simulation, Mock Malpractice Trial, Nursing education, Nursing documentation practices, patient safety
Disciplines
Nursing
Recommended Citation
Thorne, Heide, "Experiences of a Simulated Medical Malpractice Lawsuit on Nursing Students' Documentation Practices: A Transcendental Phenomenological Approach" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7542.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7542
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the perspectives of first semester nursing students participating in a simulated medical malpractice lawsuit and documentation practices. The theory guiding this study is Kolb’s experiential learning theory (ELT), as it explains the relationship of learning and knowledge transfer through a simulation-based learning activity (SBL). Data collection approaches included observations, anonymous reflective journals, and individual interviews or questionnaire capturing students’ personal experiences and emerging themes. Bracketing enhanced reflexivity, reduced bias, and strengthened the study’s credibility and dependability. Results of the study support the efficacy of a specific, powerful SBL activity designed to teach key concepts of nurse documentation. Three distinct but interrelated themes emerged from the data: (a) documentation as a reflection of professional communication and accountability, (b) students envisioning their future documentation practices, and (c) emotional impact of the mock trial. The realism of the mock trial captured students’ emotional responses, which deepened their learning and transference of knowledge. The SBL also enhanced the participants’ understanding of the nurse’s professional identity and accountability as a part of the healthcare team responsible for patients’ safety. Finally, students developed an awareness of the need for critical thinking and documentation policies as they pertain to the role of the nurse. Future research recommendations include a longitudinal study of nursing students who are in various stages in a nursing program.
