Impact of a Standardized Patient Simulation on Behavioral Health Nurse Resident Confidence and Satisfaction in Learning.

The transition from student nurse to nurse graduate can be overwhelming. Although nurse residency programs ease this transition, standardized patient (SP) simulations supplementing these programs are underutilized. An SP simulation series was created and imbedded into a behavioral health nurse residency program. Nurse residents were satisfied with the learning experience and gained self-confidence, which was sustained over 30 days. Staff development educators should consider supplementing a nurse residency program with an SP simulation to hone behavioral health clinical skill application.