Evaluation of the Use of Diverse Mental Health Simulation in Nursing Students' Learning Experience: An International Multisite Study

BACKGROUND: Simulated patients (SPs) in mental health nursing education provide a unique approach to assist student development in complex assessment skills. PURPOSE: The purpose of this international multisite study was to evaluate the use of two diverse mental health SP simulation scenarios on nursing students' satisfaction and self-confidence in learning to care for patients with mental health disorders in the United States (n = 70) and Turkey (n = 90). METHODS: A multisite cross-sectional study design was used. Outcome measures included the Student Satisfaction and Self-confidence in Learning Scale and the adapted Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified. Results were analyzed using independent t tests. RESULTS: While students in the United States reported higher perceived self-confidence and satisfaction in learning, both student populations found the intervention effective to their learning (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Using SPs in mental health education allow students to practice their assessment skills learned in classroom and transfer them to the clinical area.