Evidence shows there are gaps in clinicians’ skills in providing comprehensive sexual health care across diverse populations. Simulation in clinical training has emerged as an effective pedagogy to facilitate student learning of knowledge, skills, and attitudes on a variety of healthcare topics. Faculty at the University of Rochester School of Nursing developed a sexual health simulation for three graduate nurse practitioner (NP) programs (Adult-Gerontology, Family, and Pediatric Primary Care).

Patient engagement scenarios were informed by persistent and emerging issues in sexual health to create three authentic clinical encounters: 1) adolescent with parent, presenting with gender dysphoria, 2) female college student with concerns about STIs and contraception and 3) a same sex male couple jointly seeking HIV testing and treatment. A multimethod approach was used to collect and analyze simulation project data. Twenty NP students, completed pre and post simulation surveys; and four NP students, five faculty and 9 standardized patients participated in post-simulation qualitative interviews and focus groups.

Survey findings revealed increases in knowledge and attitudes regarding key HIV topics (i.e. PrEP, screening); and comfort and confidence in patient engagement. Qualitative findings indicate that participants thought the scenarios were well done and reflective of real-world possibilities. Although there were apparent gaps in NP student knowledge, SPs revealed that NP students’ communication was empathetic and sought to build trust. Overall student and faculty participants, and SPs found the sexual health simulation to be a transformative experience. Recommendations and other considerations for sexual health and wellness simulation will be discussed.