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.