Influence of a poverty simulation on nursing student attitudes toward poverty

• Published in: The Journal of nursing education 2012-11, Vol.51 (11), p.617-622
• Main Authors: Noone, Joanne, Sideras, Stephanie, Gubrud-Howe, Paula, Voss, Heather, Mathews, Launa Rae
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Attitude surveys; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate - methods; Educational Change; Experiential Learning; Female; Health care policy; Humans; Learning Activities; Male; Middle Aged; Nursing; Nursing education; Nursing Students; Patient Simulation; Poverty; Poverty - psychology; Simulation; Socioeconomic factors; Stereotyping; Student attitudes; Students, Nursing - psychology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0148-4834; 1938-2421
• DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20120914-01

This study aimed to determine a poverty simulation's influence on nursing students' attitudes toward poverty. Five cohorts of baccalaureate nursing students participated in the study; two cohorts (experimental group, n = 103) participated in the simulation and three did not (control group, n = 75). The Attitudes Towards Poverty Short Form was administered before the simulation and 6 weeks later; higher scores indicated more positive attitudes toward poverty. Experimental group pretest scores were higher. Higher pretest global scores were negatively correlated with religious affiliation (Spearman's rho = -0.294, p = 0.000) and positively correlated with prior poverty exposure (Spearman's rho = 0.284, p = 0.000) and liberal political views (Spearman's rho = 0.444, p = 0.000). Controlling for pretest differences, posttest mean scores for the experimental group (78.73) were significantly higher (p = 0.007). The poverty simulation is an engaging learning experience providing an opportunity for students to gain sensitivity in working with this population.