Glaucoma and cataracts: a nurse-patient simulation for nursing students

Although no formal data collection was done with the students or instructors, attitudes and opinions were solicited. Students, in general, felt positive toward the experience. The student nurses indicated that they had gained a better understanding of the problems faced by the patient with a visual disorder by actually experiencing a temporary loss of vision. The role-playing situations contributed to the student nurses' understanding of how difficult even the simplest task could become. Additionally, the emotional aspects of a vision loss were graphically highlighted. The students also felt that the experience of practicing nursing interventions with another student nurse role-playing the patient with a vision loss would help them in the clinical setting in the future. Their first real experience with a patient of this type would be somewhat easier than if they had not gone through the simulation. The nursing instructors also felt highly positive toward the role-playing simulation. Their students would probably be better able to work with this type of patient, when the first experience occurred. They agreed with the students' attitudes and planned on including the role-playing simulation in the required curriculum for future classes. Interestingly, other nursing instructors not involved in the development of the simulation, but made aware of it through casual discussion among instructors, have indicated interest in incorporating the activity into their curriculum. The simulation described could be easily replicated by other nursing instructors. Basic cost of the materials required is quite low. The role-playing cards can be developed to include activities that student nurses can accomplish in any particular environment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)