Improving attitudes toward poverty among DNP students: Implementing a Community Action Poverty Simulation©

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

Background:

• Poverty negatively impacts health outcomes.
• Doctorally prepared nurse practitioners can improve health in impoverished communities.
• Empathy and awareness of attitudes toward poverty are crucial for healthcare providers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a poverty simulation on the attitudes of Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) students.
• To assess changes in attitudes toward poverty among DNP students after a simulation experience.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental, pre-test and post-test survey design was employed.
• 29 DNP students participated in a 4-hour Community Action Poverty Simulation© (CAPS).
• The Attitudes toward Poverty Scale-Short Form (ATPS-SF) measured attitudes before and after the simulation.

Main Results:

• Attitudes toward poverty improved across all dimensions of the ATPS-SF post-simulation.
• Significant improvements were observed in reducing stigmas associated with poverty.
• Statistically significant improvements were noted on four specific items, indicating clinically relevant changes.

Conclusions:

• Poverty simulations are effective in enhancing DNP students' attitudes toward poverty.
• The CAPS© experience positively shifted attitudes, particularly regarding poverty-related stigmas.
• Integrating poverty simulations into DNP curricula is recommended to foster more empathetic and effective healthcare for vulnerable populations.