Teaching Psychosocial Vital Signs Across the Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum

Psychosocial vital signs (PVSs) are a recently developed nursing tool measuring psychosocial variables of health. High-fidelity simulation, an interactive method of teaching PVSs, is designed for progressive implementation across the undergraduate nursing program curriculum. While learning basic assessment skills, students are introduced to PVS components as essential variables in assessing patients holistically. In a review of conceptual understanding of PVSs, this article states a threefold purpose for their use. Underlying theoretical premises of PVSs are presented, and components of the three-phase curriculum for teaching PVSs are discussed. Faculty roles in implementing the curriculum are summarized.