Expanding nursing simulation programs with a standardized patient protocol on therapeutic communication.

Simulation is used with greater frequency by nursing programs to strengthen the learning process of student nurses. Best practices suggest active learning with the addition of standardized patients engages the student in realistic lifelike scenario. Therefore, the aim of the research study was to have nursing student's self-evaluate classroom learned communication skills through practical application on a standardized mental health patient simulated scenario.

Computer-based simulation: Effective tool or hindrance for undergraduate nursing students?

Background: Undergraduate nursing programs continuously strive to improve student learning outcomes within the simulation lab experience. As a result, simulation labs are evaluating computer-based simulation programs to engage the millennial student learner.

Objective: Examine undergraduate nursing student perceptions and experiences when given a computer-based simulation program as a preparation prior to their simulated lab experience.