A validation study: Simulations as a measure of nurse practitioners’ problem-solving skills

A national sample of 79 masters-and certificate-prepared family and adult nurse practitioners completed six instruments designed to validate one type of clinical simulation, patient management problems (PMPs). The instruments were: a self-chart audit, self-evaluation rating scale, colleague evaluation rating scale, multiple-choice examination, PMP simulation, and demographic questionnaire. Use of a multi trait-multi method correlation matrix, a multivariate analysis of covariance, and a stepwise multiple regression analysis provided modest evidence to support the claim that the PMP simulation is a valid measure of the construct clinical problem solving. In fact, a multiple-choice examination appeared to be an equal, if not superior, instrument.