Addressing Culturally Based Hidden Bias and RacisM (A-CHARM) Using Simulation Experiences, Nik’s Story: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background/Purpose Racism and hidden bias experienced by underrepresented nursing students contribute to a loss of confidence and anxiety. The A-CHARM nursing project developed virtual simulation experiences for nursing students to practice how to address racism. ‘Nik's Story’ virtual simulation was created as part of the A-CHARM project. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an education intervention, that included Nik's story, on cultural humility and cultural diversity awareness.Method This quasi-experimental study included a convenience sample of final year nursing students. After informed consent, participants completed a pre-intervention questionnaire that included the Cultural Humility Scale “context for difference in perspective” subscale, and the Cultural Diversity Awareness questionnaire to assess baseline knowledge. Students participated in an education intervention that included a lecture, Nik's story virtual simulation experience, a debrief and then completed a post-education/simulation questionnaire that included usability/learner engagement questions and the Cultural Humility Scale “context for difference in perspective” subscale, and the Cultural Diversity Awareness questionnaire.Results Forty-seven students consented and completed the pre/post intervention questionnaire. Participants rated the effectiveness, engagement and usability of the simulation experience highly. There was a significant positive change in cultural humility “context for difference in perspective” subscale (pre-scores = 6.9, SD = 3.3; post-scores = 31.0, SD = 3.8, p< 0.001), and cultural diversity awareness (pre-scores = 95.4, SD = 8.9; post-scores = 103.4, SD = 9.8, p< 0.001).Discussion This intervention was effective in improving cultural humility and cultural diversity awareness in nursing students.Conclusion Simulation experiences regarding racism in the clinical setting provide a strategy for students to learn how to professionally navigate unwanted experiences.