Keywords

distance education, nurse practitioner, patient simulation, standardized patients, technology

Authors

1. Ballman, Kathleen DNP, RN, ACNP-BC
2. Garritano, Nicole DNP, RN, CPNP-AC
3. Beery, Theresa PhD, RN, ACNP

Abstract

Using standardized patients (SP) presenting with a specific complaint has been a mainstay in health care education. Increased use of technology has facilitated the move of instruction from the on-campus classroom to distance learning for many nurse practitioner programs. Using interactive case studies provides distance learners SP encounters. This technologically facilitated encounter gives the distance learner the opportunity for integrative thinking and development of problem solving and clinical reasoning skills.