Inspiring Empathy and Policy Action in Undergraduate Students: Monopoly as a Strategy

BACKGROUND: Baccalaureate-prepared nurses report low levels of confidence and fail to view policy-level advocacy as an essential role of the nurse. Innovations in baccalaureate curricula intended to bolster empathy with regard to vulnerable groups and to increase awareness of the advocacy role are essential. METHOD: Cross-sectional descriptive methods were used to explore the impact of a modified version of the game Monopoly-created to simulate a social environment of socioeconomic disadvantage-on nursing student perspectives of advocacy. RESULTS: Data were analyzed from oral debriefing and written reflections following the exercise. A content analysis was performed that revealed themes of Awareness, Emotional Response, Empathy, and Advocacy. CONCLUSION: This exercise challenged student perspectives and ultimately enhanced awareness, empathy, and intent to advocate for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(5):298-301.].