Using Standardized Actors to Promote Family-centered Care.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine nursing students' performance in providing family-centered care and empathic communication in a pediatric simulation. This study was considered an innovative approach within our undergraduate program because the use of standardized actors (SAs) was new to the program and had only previously been used in our graduate program.

METHOD

This study used a mixed method design of descriptive comparative data and content analysis to examine nursing students' performance in providing family-centered care and empathic communication in a pediatric simulation.

RESULTS

There were 146 students who participated in this study. Thematic analysis indicated that empathy needs to extend beyond the patient to the family. A comparison of the standardize actors' and peer assessment of student empathy was significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurse educators can use standardized actors as caregivers in simulation as an effective teaching strategy to connect theory and the philosophy of family-centered care to its application in pediatric nursing practice.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Family-centered care is a key philosophy in pediatric nursing. Students report that there is a significant gap between family-centered care theory and its application to practice. Few baccalaureate nursing students receive experience in family interactions during their clinical time. Therefore, this research supports the need for incorporating family-centered care simulation practices in nursing education to increase student nurses' readiness to practice in specialty settings such as pediatrics.