“It felt real”: Nursing students’ experiences of mental health simulation utilizing service users as standardized patients

Background: Involving service users as standardized patients in mental health simulation enhances the authenticity of learning and fosters recovery-oriented, person-centered nursing values. This study explored nursing students’ experiences of a simulation involving a person with lived experience of mental illness as a standardized patient. Methods: A simulation scenario depicting a patient with schizophrenia who refused medication due to delusions and auditory hallucinations was implemented. A trained service user acted as a standardized patient. Eighty-nine fourth-year nursing students participated and submitted written reflections. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged: (a) learning effectiveness enhanced by realistic situations, (b) challenges arising from unfamiliar and innovative instructional approaches, and (c) growing a caring attitude. Reflections revealed increased empathy toward individuals with mental illness, strengthening students’ commitment to compassionate care. Conclusion: Involving service users as standardized patients in mental health simulations can bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world practice, enriching mental health nursing education.