Use of a Therapeutic Communication Simulation Model in Pre-Licensure Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Enhancing Strengths and Transforming Challenges

Abstract

Nurse educators are challenged to prepare students to graduate with a high level of communication skill to effectively work with patients, families and professional colleagues. This manuscript describes an innovative pedagogical model developed for teaching therapeutic communication skills to pre-licensure nursing students through the use of simulation. This novel, theoretically based teaching and learning strategy is a replicable model that includes student and faculty preparation; pre-and post-assignments; tools for active engagement of students as role players or observers who utilize therapeutic communication techniques and critical thinking about therapeutic communication theory; tools for self and peer evaluation; and opportunities for inter-professional communication skill development. The model also serves as an alternative milieu to the clinical site. A brief literature review provides a theoretical and socio-economic framework.