Implementing a Workplace Violence Simulation for Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Pilot Study

Workplace violence (WPV) is an undesired phenomenon affecting nurses and nursing students. Nursing simulations allow students to learn and practice skills in a controlled setting. The development of the pilot study, "Mental Health Nursing Simulation on Workplace Violence," is presented. A simulated scenario using a standardized patient (SP) behaving as an agitated psychiatric patient was developed for undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a psychiatric nursing course. The simulation aimed to enhance students' knowledge about WPV, increase their confidence and ability to recognize signs of aggression, practice evidence-based interventions to de-escalate agitated patients, and evaluate the simulation. Surveys and the Mental Health Nursing Clinical Confidence Scale were used to measure the aims yielding qualitative and quantitative data. An increase in students' confidence and knowledge was obtained post-simulation. Students rated the simulation as useful. The use of a SP created an experiential learning environment for participants. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55(10), 39-44.].