Teaching Health Policy Advocacy Using Virtual Simulation

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates are expected to be competent advocates for health policy. The reality, however, is that they often lack this skill. An authentic assessment in the form of a virtual simulation was created for our online DNP students. As a first step, students created a policy brief aimed at the institutional, state, federal, or international level. They then presented and defended that policy to stakeholders during a simulation. Students found that this experience provided them with skills and knowledge for advocating for health policy proficiently.