Outcomes of Simulation-Based Education on Prelicensure Nursing Students’ Preparedness in Identifying a Victim of Human Trafficking

Debra McWilliams, Geraldine Cornell and Francine Bono-Neri ()
Additional contact information
Debra McWilliams: Nurses United Against Human Trafficking, Long Island University, LIU Post, New York, NY 11548, USA
Geraldine Cornell: Nurses United Against Human Trafficking, Long Island University, LIU Post, New York, NY 11548, USA
Francine Bono-Neri: Nurses United Against Human Trafficking, Long Island University, LIU Post, New York, NY 11548, USA

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Background : Individuals who are victimized and exploited by the heinous crimes of human trafficking (HT) access healthcare during their exploitation, yet gaps in education on HT content exist in prelicensure nursing programs. This study explored the impact of an HT simulation on nursing students’ preparedness in the identification of victims as well as their perceptions of the impact of this educational intervention on future practices. Methods : A quasi-experimental design with a qualitative component was used. A convenience sample of 120 nursing students were recruited. The participants completed a pretest survey, viewed a preparatory education video, and participated in the simulation followed by a debriefing, a 20-min video, and posttest survey. Results : More than 3/4 of the participants reported no previous exposure to this content. A paired sample t -test showed efficacy ( p < 0.001) with a Cohen’s d > 0.8, illustrating an increase in knowledge gained. The qualitative data yielded four themes: eye-opening, educational and informative, increased awareness, and preparedness. Conclusions : Nurses are well-positioned to identify, treat, and respond to victims of HT. The findings underscore the critical need to incorporate comprehensive HT content into prelicensure nursing curricula. Through integration of an HT simulation, future nurses can be better prepared to address this pervasive issue, ultimately improving victim outcomes and ensuring progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 of Gender Equality and Goal 16 of Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions . In addition, addressing this topic in prelicensure nursing education ensures that future nurses are not only clinically competent but also morally and emotionally prepared to handle the complexities of HT in their professional roles.

Keywords: human trafficking; simulation-based learning; prelicensure nursing; experiential learning; clinical judgment; patient safety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/9/538/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/9/538/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:14:y:2025:i:9:p:538-:d:1743469

Access Statistics for this article

Social Sciences is currently edited by Ms. Yvaine Sun

More articles in Social Sciences from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().