The transition from student nurse to nurse graduate can be overwhelming. Although nurse residency programs ease this transition, standardized patient (SP) simulations supplementing these programs are underutilized. An SP simulation series was created and imbedded into a behavioral health nurse residency program. Nurse residents were satisfied with the learning experience and gained self-confidence, which was sustained over 30 days. Staff development educators should consider supplementing a nurse residency program with an SP simulation to hone behavioral health clinical skill application.

Background: Conducting a best possible medication history (BPMH), while using effective patient communication skills, falls within the nursing scope of practice and is recommended at all care levels. Nursing students should be taught these skills before entering clinical practice, but evidence about effective teaching strategies is limited. Approach: A standardized patient-facilitated home visit simulation was utilized in a prelicensure nursing program to practice a BPMH while using effective patient communication skills. Outcomes: All students correctly identified medications listed on the patient history, and most identified omitted medications (90.1%), transposed medications (91.6%), and incorrect medication usage (91.6%). All students demonstrated effective patient communication skills—using open-ended questions and inquiring about medication usage. Conclusion: Incorporating a standardized patient-facilitated home visit BPMH simulation allows students the opportunity to practice and achieve BPMH competency essential for nurses.