"If Only We Could Have Them Walk a Mile in Their Shoes": A Community-Based Poverty Simulation Exercise for Baccalaureate Nursing Students.
BACKGROUND
Poverty is linked to poorer health outcomes across the life span. Nurses must understand how poverty impacts health and the ability to achieve social mobility. This article describes a poverty simulation exercise, In Their Shoes.


METHODS
Scenarios of clients in need of community resources were developed. Using public transportation, students travelled to agencies to collect information about accessing resources. Students were introduced to content about poverty, income inequality, social mobility, and critical social theory prior to the simulation exercise. After the simulation, students returned to the classroom and reflected on the experience.


RESULTS
In Their Shoes received positive feedback. Students expressed surprise at the number of community resources, frustration by the challenges encountered, and dedication to being aware and compassionate advocates for underserved clients.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing programs should develop and evaluate similar activities to expose students to the challenges of living in poverty, and how this affects health and nursing practice.
Karen E
KE
Johnson
Nancy
N
Guillet
Linda
L
Murphy
Shalonda E B
SE
Horton
Ana T
AT
Todd
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D011203:Poverty; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000379:methods*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*