Student evaluation of a health history assessment with standardized patients

Background: Students previously reported they did not feel well prepared for health history assessment in the clinical setting. Students felt that more experience prior to beginning clinical would better prepare them to adequately complete a health history assessment.Methods: First semester nursing students in a pre-licensure baccalaureate program participated in a simulation where they collected health history data on a standardized patient prior to beginning hospital clinicals. Six weeks later, students evaluated the simulation’s effectiveness in preparing them for clinical.Results: Out of a 14-item survey, where agreement indicated effectiveness, two items had a mode of 0 (do not agree), five items had a mode of 1 (somewhat agree) and seven items had a mode of 2 (strongly agree). The mean of all questions was 1.31.Conclusions: Overall, students found the simulation beneficial and effective in preparing them to complete a health history assessment in the clinical setting.