Evaluating the impact of the human simulation standardized patient experience on the undergraduate nursing student

Abstract

Competency in the clinical setting involves the assimilation of theory and the development of skills. The integration of a human simulation standardized patient experience is one method to enable students to demonstrate competency of complex skills in a controlled or testing environment. The human simulation standardized patient experience is part of a new generation of ‘authentic assessment exercises’ that challenge students with realistic simulations of clinical experiences likely encountered in practice. Standardized patients can be utilized throughout an undergraduate nursing program to provide realistic, structured learning opportunities in a safe and supported environment while also providing opportunities for review and self-critique. Examples include: 1) therapeutic communication experience; 2) dealing with a difficult, anxious or agitated patient experience; 3) complex patient teaching experience; 4) summative evaluation of a patient encounter including history taking, focused physical exam and patient teaching. This college of nursing utilizes a human simulation standardized patient experience as part of the summative evaluation of the undergraduate nursing program. The students are presently given the opportunity to have the experience twice during their senior year. In their first experience, the nursing students have two fifteen minute experiences. The second standardized patient experience incorporates one forty minute comprehensive session. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the human simulation standardized patient experience on the student outcomes of confidence, nursing activity, and self esteem

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