LAUSR

E ffective communication is a cornerstone to highquality nursing care, with critical ties to patient safety and improved patient outcomes. Being able to effectively communicate with patients is an important skill to be developed by students through education and practice. Education on communication principles and development of associated skills are essential for properly preparing nursing students to enter the professional workforce. Faculty members teaching in a first-semester clinical nursing course observed students’ high anxiety before conducting their first health history interview with a nursing home resident. Although students had completed a 3-credit hour communication course, they reported being apprehensive about conducting this patient interview. Simulation has been shown to produce similar outcomes in communication skills as traditional education in clinical settings, particularly when integrated into complex care and mental health situations. To help students feel more prepared to conduct the health history interview, faculty members developed a 2-part, low-fidelity communication simulation before students’ first clinical experience, using layperson volunteers as standardized patients (SPs).