Interactive Poverty Simulation: Nursing Students' Perceptions of Poverty

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a poverty simulation on the attitudes of baccalaureate nursing students toward those living in poverty. A single-group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants' attitudes were measured using the Attitude Toward Poverty Scale-Short Form. Results indicated significant improvement in 11 out of 21 items, along with the subscales for stigma and structural perspectives. However, four items, along with the overall personal deficiency domain score, indicated a significant worsening of attitudes. Results of this study are mixed and suggest that valid concerns exist regarding the administration of the simulation.