Bringing simulation to life through a therapeutic encounter: a pedagogical approach used for associate degree nursing students

Human patient simulation is often times incorporated in the educational process for instructing nursing students and has proven to be instrumental in narrowing the gap between theoretical foundations and clinical practice within a safe learning environment. Although this pedagogical approach can be a beneficial adjunct to the traditional lecture in nursing education, it does lack one component, which is contact with a human being. Nurse educators can be instrumental in enhancing the learning process when using simulation by incorporating this key element of patient care, the therapeutic encounter. (C) 2012 National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.