Case-Based Collaborative Learning for Arrhythmia Recognition in Novice Intensive Care Nurses

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of case-based collaborative learning (CBCL) in improving arrhythmia recognition and patient safety attitudes among novice intensive care nurses. Newly graduated nurses with less than one year of professional nursing experience working in coronary or cardiovascular surgery intensive care units are randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. Both groups participate in the institution's routine orientation process for newly employed intensive care nurses. In addition, the intervention group receives a structured CBCL-based arrhythmia education program delivered in two 120-minute sessions over two consecutive weeks. The program uses clinical case scenarios, ECG tracings, individual assessment, small-group collaborative discussion, shared clinical decision-making, and structured feedback. The control group receives no additional study-specific arrhythmia education during the study period. The primary outcome is arrhythmia recognition and awareness, and the secondary outcome is patient safety attitudes. Outcomes are assessed at baseline and at the three-month follow-up in both groups. An additional immediate post-intervention assessment is conducted in the intervention group to examine short-term changes following the educational program.