Exploratory factor analysis of the attitudes towards simulation-based learning scale

BACKGROUND:Simulation is used in nursing curricula to augment or replace the traditional clinical practice experiences. Studies reported varying attitudes of nursing students to simulation-based learning. The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory factor analysis of the Attitudes of Nursing Students to Simulation-Based Learning scale to be used to explore the nursing students' attitudes related to simulation. METHOD:Data were collected online from 217 nursing students at a U.S. college of nursing and health from February to May 2015. Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis were performed. RESULTS:The results showed that the 17-item scale consisted of two factors: clinical competency and effectiveness of the simulation-based learning. The Cronbach's alpha reliability of the scale was .91 and .90 for factor one and .70 for factor two. CONCLUSION:The new scale can be used to measure nursing students' attitudes toward simulation. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(8):471–476.]