Does the Aged Simulation Suit help nursing students provide better care? - A phenomenological study.

Background: The use of simulation in the training of nurses has increased in the last decades, allowing the acquisition and development of several competencies.

Objective: Understand the experiences of nursing students who used the aged simulation suit.

Methodology: Qualitative study of a phenomenological nature. The participants were nursing students, who used the aged simulation suit. Data collection was made through the interview, and the data analysis was performed following the Giorgi phenomenological method.

Results: Three themes reflect the essence of the experience: Wear the skin of the elderly; Confrontation with their own ageing process; Skills development.

Conclusion: If, on the one hand, the students who used the aged simulation suit experienced sensory and motor impairment and consequent confrontation with their own ageing process, on the other hand, they experienced the development of scientific, relational and citizenship skills. It is expected that the results of this work will foster the use of the aged simulation suit as a complementary methodology, with potential impact on the quality of care and health gains.