Development of a Medication Abortion Simulation for Midwifery and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Students: Not Just Another Sim

The US Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Dobb's v Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v Wade, has led to varying state-level restrictions and expansions in abortion access. In Minnesota, certified nurse-midwives and advanced practice registered nurses, including women's health nurse practitioners, were granted the ability to provide medication abortion. This expanded role necessitates comprehensive education to ensure students are equipped with the skills and confidence to provide high-quality abortion care. Simulation-based training, particularly using simulated patient (SP) methodology, offers an effective approach to preparing students for medication abortion care. An interprofessional team at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing developed an SP-based simulation curriculum to supplement midwifery and women's health student's training in medication abortion. The curriculum, designed using the Association of SP Educators’ Standards of Best Practice, provided students with the opportunity to practice patient counseling, consent, and medication dispensing in a safe and supportive environment. The simulation was implemented with 20 midwifery and women's health students. Students highlighted the simulation's effectiveness in improving confidence, with some suggesting more detailed presimulation preparation. The SP-based simulation effectively enhanced students' perceived clinical skills and confidence in providing medication abortion care. The positive feedback emphasizes the value of SP-based simulation in preparing students for emerging clinical needs. Future improvements could include earlier didactic content and broader simulation scenarios. This innovation demonstrates the need for accessible and high-quality medication abortion care training to address disparities in health care access.