NR 536 Design of an Experiential Learning Activity

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-536: Advanced Health Assessment, Pathophysiology & Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice

Prof. Name:

Date

Introduction

Nurse educators must design activities that actively engage students in learning. Immersive experiences help students evaluate provided information and utilize both learned knowledge and past experiences. Effective learning activities should continue to stimulate students beyond the classroom through further questioning and reflection. Nursing students should be able to recall and apply their experiences, understanding what was learned and identifying areas for improvement.

Part One: Learning Activity and Objectives

The selected learning activity is an evolving case study conducted during post-conference sessions. It is tailored for bachelor’s degree nursing students in their final semester. The students will be grouped into small teams of three to four and provided with case study materials. The following five learning objectives guide this activity: (1) Describe the impact of communication on the work environment and patient outcomes, (2) Explain the rationale for offering patients alternative options, (3) Demonstrate active listening skills to improve communication, (4) Discuss the benefits of holistic care for patients, and (5) Identify ethical concerns within the given scenario.

Learning objectives are crucial for both educators and students. They provide educators with a clear pathway for assessments and students with guidance on where to focus their efforts. This activity encourages critical thinking by requiring students to connect past and present learning to a practical scenario. Conducted in a collaborative post-conference setting, it fosters deeper discussions, enhances critical thinking, and ties concepts to real-world patient care situations.

Part Two: Case Study Scenario

The evolving case study takes place on a nursing unit, beginning with an overheard conversation and continuing into a fictional but realistic scenario. Key characters include a healthcare provider (HCP), a registered nurse (RN), and a nurse manager (NM). The conflict involves the RN addressing a patient’s inquiries about alternative treatment options, which the HCP perceives as overstepping professional boundaries. The nurse manager mediates the discussion, highlighting communication issues, ethical dilemmas, and workplace civility.

Students will be divided into three groups, each tasked with analyzing the situation from a specific perspective: nurse manager, RN, or HCP. Each group will evaluate the ethical challenges, communication breakdowns, and strategies for conflict resolution, emphasizing civility and professional conduct. Active listening and respectful discourse are emphasized, fostering a deeper understanding of collaboration in healthcare settings.

Part Three: Debriefing and Reflection

Debriefing plays a pivotal role in cementing the lessons learned from the activity. Students integrate new knowledge with prior experiences while addressing misconceptions. Group presentations allow students to share insights, suggest alternative approaches, and stimulate further discussion.

Socratic questioning will guide reflection, prompting students to identify communication barriers, strategies to enhance civility, and ethical considerations. Examples include, “What communication barriers did you observe?” and “How can civility be maintained in future interactions?” A focused discussion on ethics and civility reinforces the importance of clear communication and professional collaboration in improving patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Effective communication, teamwork, and ethical understanding are fundamental to professional nursing practice. Miscommunication between healthcare professionals often stems from ego, organizational issues, or lack of confidence (Foronda, MacWilliams, & McArthur, 2016). Through role-play and Socratic debriefing, nursing students develop a foundational understanding of conflict resolution and civility, preparing them for real-world challenges. These experiential activities ensure students are equipped to foster collaboration and maintain professionalism in their future roles.