“Take a Walk in My Shoes”: A Qualitative Analysis of Participant Impressions

Take a Walk in My Shoes is an interactive, educational service-learning project for senior level nursing students that is designed to in-service health care employees at local hospitals and nursing homes. Through the use of simulation equipment, participants experienced the difficulties associated with activities of daily living experienced by geriatric clients. Results were generated through qualitative analysis of student journals and observations; major themes that were identified are nervous/ anxious , fun , teacher/educating , and empathy . Participants expressed an increase in empathy and understanding with regard to the elderly. In conclusion, this project has the potential to be implemented in additional health care settings