Evaluating a pilot session for nursing students with schoolchildren as simulated patients

Simulation can enhance nursing students' education by providing real-world practice learning experiences. However, finding opportunities for children's nursing students to work with children as simulated patients can be challenging due to safeguarding and consent issues and practical difficulties. This article details the evaluation of a pilot simulation session which involved 59 first-year preregistration children's nursing students practising physiological assessments and communication skills with 59 primary school children. After the session, which took place at the children's school, the students were asked to complete a survey. The vast majority of respondents thought that the simulation activity had enhanced their skills and confidence for their forthcoming first clinical placement. The children rated their experience using an adapted 'smiley faces' scale and their feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The findings show that using children as simulated patients can enrich students' practice learning, foster the development of a professional identity and help prepare them for practice.