Simulation Decreases Nursing Student Anxiety Prior to Communication With Mentally Ill Patients

IntroductionThe purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of high-fidelity human simulation on nursing student anxiety prior to attending clinical and interacting with a mentally ill patient.MethodThis quantitative, nonrandomized, quasi-experimental study was implemented with three groups of undergraduate nursing students who were enrolled in a psychiatric nursing course. The students participated in a 2-hour lecture on therapeutic communication techniques, followed by a simulation experience depicting a depressed patient or an anxious patient in alcohol withdrawal. A sample of 44 students participated by completing a demographic questionnaire, a pre- and postanxiety visual analogue scale, pre- and post–State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a Simulation Evaluation Survey. Data were collected during two semesters in 2010.ResultsThe findings support the use of high-fidelity human simulation to aid in decreasing nursing students' anxiety prior to communicating with patients experiencing mental illness.