Improvisation Theater Exercises: A Novel Approach to Teach Communication Skills

Nurse practitioner students need effective communication skills to provide patient-centered care and work in diverse health care teams. Improvisation exercises, adapted from theater training, have been used to improve communication skills with health professions education and can be used in nurse practitioner education.

Fifty-eight family nurse practitioner students participated in a 2-hour workshop where they learned four improvisation exercises to improve listening skills, observational skills, and the ability to respond in the moment. Students learned the application of these skills for health care conversations.

The workshop was well received by the students, and evaluations reflected that students anticipated using the skills in professional practice and personal communications.

Improvisation exercises can be used in nursing education to teach communication skills. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(2):116-119.].