Standardized Patient Simulation to Facilitate Learning in Evidence-Based Oncology Symptom Management.

BACKGROUND

New graduate nurses lack the specialty knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective symptom management to oncology patients. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of a simulation-based learning experience using standardized patients to enhance undergraduate nursing students' ability to apply evidence-based principles learned in the classroom to oncology symptom management practice.

METHOD

Faculty developed two standardized patient simulations for a 7-week senior seminar in evidence-based oncology symptom management.

RESULTS

Faculty, students, and standardized patients provided positive feedback. Students appreciated the realism and innovation of using simulation in a seminar-style course. Faculty and students identified that more time was needed for the simulations, and revisions are planned for the next offering of the seminar to address this concern.

CONCLUSION

The integration of standardized patients is a feasible learning strategy to facilitate learning of evidence-based oncology symptom management principles among undergraduate nursing students. [J Nurs Educ. 2018;57(4):250-253.].