The Value of Learning from Fiction

Using fiction to teach nursing-related content can be a valuable teaching methodology and is frequently incorporated into nursing curricula. The use of simulations and case studies are just a couple of examples of widely used teaching strategies that incorporate the use of fiction to educate nursing students. Currently, clinical sites are becoming increasingly harder to secure, thus nursing students are afforded less time in the clinical setting to practice and apply classroom content. Subsequently, simulations and case studies can be used to mimic real-world scenarios, providing students the opportunity to evaluate consequences of nursing interventions. For example, if students administer an incorrect dose of pain medication, it is fairly known what effects that medication will have on the patient physiologically. Thus, once the incorrect dose is given, the consequences that would occur in the “real-world” can be mirrored, in this case the patient respirations would significantly decrease and the students would need to react accordingly.

Due to limited clinical site availability, the use of fiction to teach nursing content is a becoming a widely used and accepted practice. Furthermore, the predictability of patient responses physiologically makes the use of fiction extremely valuable in experiencing real-world consequences to chosen nursing interventions.