J Nurs Educ
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Comparative Study
Retention of Basic Cardiac Life Support content: the effect of two teaching methods.
Does the method of instruction affect retention of Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) knowledge and skill? This was the primary question addressed in a study conducted in a university school of nursing. The teaching methods studied were a lecture-demonstration-return demonstration method and a self-paced method. The sample consisted of 63 baccalaureate nursing students who were assigned to one of the two teaching methods. ⋯ However, neither group was able to demonstrate retention of performance skills at a mastery level. Additional data indicate the self-paced subjects spent less time in BCLS learning activities. While the self-paced instructional package was more costly on a one-time basis, repeated applications would decrease the cost/student.