Using Standardized Patients to Strengthen Nurse Practitioner Competency in the Clinical Setting

Aim. This paper serves as the outline for a simulation that nurse educators can use to better prepare graduate students for the clinical setting and ensure the student's essential competencies prior to clinical practicum. Background. Educators often struggle with whether nurse practitioner students are sufficiently prepared for their clinical practicum once they have successfully completed the didactic component of their coursework. Method. This paper addresses the methods by which one institution uses standardized patients in a simulation laboratory to better prepare the graduate students for their first clinical practicum. The implications of using clinical simulation to enhance both student and faculty learning are addressed. Results. Simulation done prior to a student's clinical practicum prepares the student for patient cases in the clinical setting. Conclusion. Clinical simulation can enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that nurse practitioner students need in the clinical setting.