The Impact of Role-playing in Internships on the Socialization and Clinical Self-efficacy of Nursing Students

Background: Role-playing is an innovative and effective educational method that fosters active and experiential learning among learners. This research was conducted to determine the impact of role-playing during internships on the socialization and clinical self-efficacy of nursing students. Methods: This semi-experimental study included 39 nursing students selected through a census sampling technique. At the beginning of the study, participants completed questionnaires covering demographic data, socialization, and clinical self-efficacy. Both the control and experimental groups received the standard clinical training provided by their instructors. Additionally, the intervention group took part in 6 role-playing training sessions alongside the regular education. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23.0, using independent and paired t-tests for statistical evaluation. Results: The findings showed no significant difference in the mean scores of overall socialization and clinical self-efficacy between the groups before the intervention. However, after implementing role-playing, the mean scores in all domains of the variables were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Role-playing in clinical practicum can augment the socialization and clinical self-efficacy of nursing students. This approach helps prepare students to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical competencies effectively in clinical environments, contributing to the development of a competent future nursing workforce.