“Experience the Experience” (ETE) is an immersive role-play activity for Suburban’s nurses and patient care technicians (PCTs). This simulation activity provides staff with a better understanding and appreciation of how their communication style and nonverbal behaviors impact our patient’s perception of care—in a safe, supportive and coaching environment.    

PFAs—most of whom have real experience as patients—play the role of the “patient” by putting on a hospital gown, getting in a hospital bed and engaging with the nurses and techs during the simulation. The nurses and patient care technicians are given a short scenario about the “patient” (i.e. name and condition) and then are asked to conduct a bedside shift report and a purposeful round in the same manner they would do with a real patient.

Following the simulation exercise, the nurses and PCTs meet with their supervisors and the PFAs to deconstruct the interactions and discuss what went well and what could be improved. Our PFAs have participated in these simulations at all hours of the day and on weekends, in order to cover the multiple shift changes.

The opportunity for staff to receive feedback and coaching as they “practice the practice” of a bedside shift report and purposeful rounds has led to improvements in how staff explain why they are doing what they do and the importance of making a connection with our patients and families.
 
The work of ETE continues even during the pandemic. A video of this simulation activity, which includes a PFA in the patient role, was created for training purposes to continue to shine light on the importance of a meaningful beside shift report that engages the patient and family. We are hopeful our PFAs will be able to resume conducting in-person training in the near future.
 

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