“It felt real”: Nursing students’ experiences of mental health simulation utilizing service users as standardized patients

Background

Involving service users as standardized patients in mental health simulation enhances the authenticity of learning and fosters recovery-oriented, person-centered nursing values. This study explored nursing students’ experiences of a simulation involving a person with lived experience of mental illness as a standardized patient.

Methods

A simulation scenario depicting a patient with schizophrenia who refused medication due to delusions and auditory hallucinations was implemented. A trained service user acted as a standardized patient. Eighty-nine fourth-year nursing students participated and submitted written reflections. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Results

Three main themes emerged: (a) learning effectiveness enhanced by realistic situations, (b) challenges arising from unfamiliar and innovative instructional approaches, and (c) growing a caring attitude. Reflections revealed increased empathy toward individuals with mental illness, strengthening students’ commitment to compassionate care.

Conclusion

Involving service users as standardized patients in mental health simulations can bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world practice, enriching mental health nursing education.