The development of simulated learning environments involving coroner’s court attendance in mental health nursing education

Abstract

Key points • There is a paucity of literature on mental health nursing simulation • There is the need for nurse educators to share and further develop their experiences of the use of simulation in mental health nursing education • Simulation is widely used in clinical education with the aims of improving learners' competence and confidence, improving patient safety and reducing errors • A well-developed simulation views learning as a dynamic process, where the focus is as much on the importance of professional identity construction as attainment of skillsCitation Beggs R, McKay I, Linsley P (2019) The development of simulated learning environments involving coroner's court attendance in mental health nursing education. Mental Health Practice. AbstractSimulated learning environments (SLEs) provide students with the opportunity to experience complex practice elements with minimal professional risks. This article explores the development of a SLE into undergraduate mental health nursing education. The SLE focuses on events surrounding a client death and follows attendance at a coroner's court. Student learning outcomes are focused on evaluating essential components of nursing care including communication, record-keeping, risk-taking and ethical decision-making. The SLE, which is now in its fourth iteration, allows educators to review and adapt the teaching practices to achieve the curriculum learning outcomes and encapsulate the Nursing and Midwifery Council's Code. This article proposes future possibilities for the use of complex simulation dramas to enhance nursing student preparedness for registration.