Table 2 Factor loadings of the modified ESSAF-scale and correlation matrix

V9.    Simulation will help me to establish priorities for action in clinical situations.

0.960

0.050

-0.304

-0.303

0.030

-0.235

V15. Simulation enables effective patient care planning

0.739

-0.038

0.103

0.007

-0.035

0.101

V19. This experience will help me to prioritize care

0.714

0.078

-0.091

-0.064

-0.098

0.021

V10.  Simulation will improve my ability to provide care to my patients.

0.648

0.014

-0.142

-0.042

0.285

-0.084

V14. Simulation is beneficial because it relates theory to practice.

0.635

0.125

0.189

0.032

-0.085

0.109

V16. Simulation will improve my technical skills

0.563

-0.155

0.013

0.201

0.263

-0.127

V29. Debriefing helps to correct mistakes

0.078

0.834

0.072

0.150

0.117

-0.123

V28. Debriefing allows for reflection on cases

0.265

0.740

0.382

-0.035

-0.036

0.003

V27. The teacher always gives constructive feedback after each simulation session

-0.341

0.529

0.044

-0.058

0.405

-0.085

V2. The objectives of the simulation of the cases are clear

-0.126

0.132

0.566

-0.138

0.406

-0.100

V1. The simulation classrooms where the cases take place are real

-0.103

-0.033

0.564

-0,007

0.172

-0.143

V7.    Simulation is useful for assessing a patient’s clinical situation

0.218

0.002

0.445

0.062

0.107

-0.164

V18. Simulation will help me to assess the patient’s condition

0.300

-0.117

0.436

0.241

-0.002

0.065

V12. Simulation will improve the ability to work with the equipment

-0.215

0.141

-0.101

0.998

0.155

0.111

V17. The simulation will reinforce my critical thinking and decision making

0.325

-0.200

0.091

0.621

0.053

-0.125

V21- Simulation improves communication with the team

0.076

0.135

0.018

0,557

0.088

0.025

V11. The simulation will make me reflect on my next clinical practice

0.275

-0.003

-0.085

0.481

0.166

-0.198

V31. Simulation will allow me to learn from the mistakes I have made

0.089

0.108

-0.061

− 0.201

0.864

0.003

V24. Simulation will increase my safety

-0.230

-0.006

-0.022

0.189

0.639

0.019

V32. Simulation is useful in practice

0.330

-0.058

-0.007

-0.059

0.628

0.033

V20. Simulation promotes self-confidence

-0.116

-0.086

0.119

0.181

0.601

0.016

V26. Simulation will improve my clinical competence

0.167

-0.003

-0.073

-0.029

0.595

0.137

V33. With these sessions I will meet the expected learning outcomes

0.172

0.053

0.058

0.062

0.490

0.055

V23. Improved communication with the patient

-0.077

0.052

-0.067

0.195

0.118

0.710

V22. Improved communication with the family

0.083

-0.072

0.032

0.085

-0.015

0.643

Matrix determinant = 0.000002517365237

Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity = 5361.0 (df = 300; p < 0.001)

Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test = 0.93810 (very good)

% Explained variance = 66.52%

Goodness-of-fit indicators:

• Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.023; Good fit if < 0.05

• Non-Normed Fit Index (NNFI; Tucker & Lewis) = 0.996

• Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.998; (> 0.990: excellent)

• Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) = 0.991

• Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI) = 0.9678

Root Mean Square of Residuals (RMSR) = 0.0596; Expected mean value of RMSR for an acceptable model = 0.0836 (Kelley’s criterion) [33].