5 Simulations to Teach Therapeutic Communication to Nursing Students

Effective communication lies at the heart of quality nursing care. From comforting anxious patients to navigating difficult conversations, nurses must be skilled in verbal and nonverbal techniques that foster trust, understanding, and emotional support within the nurse-patient relationship. 

Therapeutic communication in nursing goes beyond basic conversation—it involves active listening, empathy, and appropriate responses to patients’ concerns. Learning these complex interpersonal skills requires more than lectures and readings; it demands practice in realistic, interactive environments. Simulation offers a dynamic and safe way for students to develop and refine their communication abilities.                                                                                                                            

Here are five simulation methods that enhance nurse-patient interaction and build student confidence in therapeutic communication.

1. Low-Fidelity Task Trainers

While commonly associated with hands-on skill development, low-fidelity task trainers can be adapted to support learning foundational communication techniques. These tools may include cue cards, mock charts, or audio recordings that present simple communication scenarios for students. For example, a student might receive a written prompt describing a confused patient refusing medication and must craft an appropriate verbal response.

Though not immersive, these simulations help students:

• Practice active listening and therapeutic phrases
• Learn how to ask open-ended questions
• Respond to specific patient behaviors or emotions

Educators can use these tools in classroom settings or as take-home assignments to reinforce concepts such as empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity. They are especially useful for introducing the basic principles of therapeutic communication early on in the curriculum.

2. Standardized Patients

Standardized patients (SPs)—trained actors who portray patients with realistic behaviors and emotions—are among the most powerful tools for teaching appropriate nurse-patient interaction. SP encounters allow students to apply therapeutic communication techniques in complex, emotionally charged scenarios, such as:

• Breaking bad news to a patient or family member
• Supporting a patient with anxiety or depression
• Managing a patient who is noncompliant or angry

These sessions allow real-time practice of eye contact, tone of voice, therapeutic presence, and word choice. SPs provide immediate, personalized feedback from the patient’s perspective, helping students reflect on their approach. Instructors can also assess communication style, cultural competence, and professionalism during debriefing sessions. SP simulations promote a deeper understanding of how nurse-patient communication impacts patient outcomes and emotional safety.

3. High-Fidelity Manikins

Although traditionally used for technical or emergency training, high-fidelity manikins can be valuable in teaching therapeutic communication nursing when paired with voice actors or prerecorded responses. For example, a manikin may simulate a patient experiencing pain or shortness of breath, prompting students to:

• Offer reassurance and calm explanations
• Assess pain using appropriate language
• Communicate clearly while coordinating care with others

These scenarios build confidence under pressure, helping students learn how to remain compassionate and composed in stressful environments. In a high-fidelity setting, students can also develop communication skills for working with unconscious or nonverbal patients—learning to speak clearly, explain actions, and use touch appropriately. These interactions reinforce that communication is not only verbal, but also behavioral and environmental.

4. Immersive Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality training offers invaluable opportunities to engage nursing students in lifelike communication scenarios using immersive simulations. Students can interact with virtual patients who respond in realistic ways. VR allows students to improve their clinical decision-making in a variety of contexts, such as:

• Addressing a patient with dementia in a long-term care facility
• Comforting a teenager in an emergency department
• Navigating language barriers or cultural misunderstandings

Key advantages of VR training include repeatability, versatility, and customizable scenarios. VR supports learning by allowing students to make mistakes, reflect, and try again—without risk to real patients. With so many capabilities for students, like multiplayer and observational modes, virtual reality nursing sim is a highly effective method for building communication confidence.

In the Acute Abdominal Pain scenario from the UbiSim catalog, students care for a transgender patient, allowing them to practice therapeutic communication and nursing care that is inclusive and respectful.

5. Role-Playing Games

Role-playing games (RPGs) are a creative and engaging way to explore therapeutic communication scenarios for students in a collaborative setting. In these simulations, students take on the roles of nurse, patient, or family member, and act out real-world situations. This approach encourages peer-to-peer feedback, empathy, and creative problem-solving in unpredictable scenarios.

Examples of role-play exercises include a nurse comforting a grieving parent, managing a conflict between a patient and caregiver, or educating a patient about a new diagnosis. RPGs are often low-cost and easy to implement in classroom settings. They also support reflection and discussion, which are essential to learning from the emotional and ethical dimensions of nurse-patient interaction.

Final Thoughts

Mastering therapeutic communication in nursing is essential for delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. Simulation provides a safe and structured environment for nursing students to develop, test, and refine these skills across a variety of clinical situations. Whether using low-fidelity task trainers to practice basic techniques, engaging with standardized patients for emotionally complex encounters, or exploring virtual reality nursing training, each method offers unique benefits. 

Combined with high-fidelity manikins and interactive role-playing games, these simulation strategies canhelp students build the communication skills they need to support, educate, and advocate for their patients. In a healthcare world where connection matters as much as clinical accuracy, communication training through simulation isn’t just valuable—it’s essential.