Mock Trial Helping to Prepare Midland University Nursing Students for Ethical Issues that May Arise in Profession
During their time in college, nursing students learn all about the ins and outs of providing safe patient care. Students at Midland University are taking it a step further by learning the dynamics of ethical and legal issues that nurses often encounter.
In each of the past two spring semesters, the Midland University nursing faculty has hosted a Nursing Mock Trial to prepare future nurses on how to work through the many different dynamics they could face in their careers.
“We want them to be able to present arguments that are factually based as opposed to emotionally based,” said Denyse McDonald, Assistant Professor of Nursing. “It allows them to explore their own feelings and belief system and helps solidify how they go about making decisions.”
The most recent mock trial included all 20 senior nursing students.. They were split evenly into four teams and were presented with a variety of topics on which they could research and present their findings. After a topic was selected, they were then assigned a side they had to argue for. They are given about four weeks to research the topic and prepare their arguments.
“As nurses, we’re often having to make tough ethical choices, and you might have to make a decision that you might not fully believe in yourself,” McDonald said. “It’s great to be able to explore tough topics and be able to argue from a logical, educated point of view, as opposed to arguing emotionally.”
Among the topics debated were physician assisted suicide, and birth control for minors without parental consent.
Kayla Bailey, a recent nursing graduate from Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada, found herself in a debate over a topic that was very personal to her.
“One of my biggest learning moments came when I started to understand how ethically layered and emotionally charged the topic of euthanasia is, especially in the Canadian context, where Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is legal,” she said. “This topic is meaningful to me as I had an uncle who chose to end his life through euthanasia. Going into this assignment, I thought I had a clear understanding of the issue, but researching the different legal perspectives and ethical considerations made me realize how complex it really is. It also made me realize the importance of staying composed under pressure and communicating ideas clearly and respectfully, even when discussing something so sensitive.”
Midland strives to help students become critical thinkers as they move forward in their careers. Dr. Tesa Keeling, Dean for the College of Health Professions, said it’s critical for nurses to be able to understand the issues they will face on a daily basis, and be ready to accept many different perspectives and outcomes.
“Knowing all the perspectives is important,” she said. “They might not agree with what the patients, or their families, are wanting, but it’s important for them to be able to see the other side. This trial helps prepare them for the separation between what they believe, and what the patient/family member believes.”
Bailey said she embraced the team dynamic of working together to find common ground. “It was refreshing to work with a group where everyone brought something different to the table, and we were able to support one another and build off each other’s strengths,” she said. “What stood out the most was how we each respected the seriousness of the topic, while staying focused and constructive.”
At the end of the trial, students are also asked to evaluate their teammates (confidentially) and detail what each student brought, or didn’t bring, to the discussion. “We make them rank their teammates, and I know that’s not one of their favorite things to do, but in leadership roles you will have to make tough decisions and this provides an exercise in reflection,” McDonald said.
As is the case with most trials, a winner is declared, based on evaluations by nursing staff members and an independent judge.
“They get rated in different categories on how they presented their evidence, spoke to the side they were given, and how they responded,” Keeling said.
McDonald said discussions after the trial is over are often as valuable, and sometimes more, than what was presented during the trial.
“We had a team that didn’t win the debate, but in our post-trial discussion, they revealed valuable information that had they used during the trial, they would have won,” she said.
McDonald said students are often concerned about how they will look and sound when presenting in front of the class, but it’s a critical learning component in the challenges a nurse will inevitably encounter.
“At first they are very nervous, but when it’s over, they all talk about how much they enjoyed it,” she said. “The collaboration, advocacy, communication, and research all are important components, and this process hits all of them.”
Being part of a mock trial was a rewarding experience for Bailey, who hopes to utilize what she learned as she moves forward in her career. “It helped me grow in so many aspects,” she said. “It gave me the chance to reflect on my own values, apply what I’ve learned in class, and gain a better understanding of the human side of legal and ethical issues in nursing.
“Most of all, it reminded me that behind every legal case or policy, there are real people, and as nurses, that’s who we are there to serve.”
Learn more about the Midland University School of Nursing.
