Transforming Nursing Practice: 2engage’s Arts-Based Communication Training Builds Skills, Confidence, and NMC Proficiencies
2engage CIC’s hands-on, theatre-based communication training accelerates skill development, boosts confidence, and helps student nurses at University of Chester achieve key Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) proficiencies.
The Challenge
Effective communication is fundamental to nursing practice. It is linked to:
- Higher quality of patient care
- Greater patient satisfaction
- Better adherence to treatment plans
Despite its importance, many student nurses feel unprepared for the pressures of communicating with patients.
While clinical simulation suites offer opportunities to practice technical skills, they cannot fully replicate the unpredictability and emotional complexity of real patient interactions.
Recognising this skills gap, the University of Chester partnered with 2engage to deliver a dedicated communication training programme embedded within first-year nursing students’ simulated practice learning.
What we did
2engage designed and delivered a week-long communication training programme for first-year nursing students at the University of Chester.
Our innovative programme:
- Combines applied theatre techniques with healthcare education
- Equips nurses with essential interpersonal skills for effective, compassionate care
- Is delivered by facilitators with expertise in education, healthcare, and the arts
- Counts toward students’ required practice learning hours
Our Approach
Our communication training is grounded in theory, but the nurses learn by doing.
Informed by applied theatre techniques, the training uses creative, participatory approaches alongside structured reflection to help participants build confidence and strengthen interpersonal skills.
Nurses take part in a variety of hands-on, interactive exercises throughout the week that simulate real-world clinical scenarios. They get to practice interactions, make mistakes, refine their approach, and learn from their peers in a safe and supportive environment.
The training focuses on developing key skills including:
- Active listening and assertiveness
- Conflict resolution and critical thinking
- Emotional resilience and stress management
- Empathy, patience, and self-awareness
- Teamwork, trust, and confidence
It also supports nurses in recognising the significance of non-verbal communication, including body language and paralinguistic cues, as well as increasing awareness of unconscious bias and microaggressions.
Why a theatre-based approach?
Beyond clinical skills, patient care relies on communication, empathy, and human connection (skills that are difficult to teach in lectures or simulations alone!)
Theatre-based techniques such as roleplay, improvisation, and hot seating create a dynamic learning environment where nurses can explore complex interpersonal dynamics, test different responses, and reflect on the impact of their communication in real time.
Students are able to practice challenging scenarios, including difficult conversations, conflict management, and breaking bad news, while developing an awareness of how their tone, body language, and non-verbal cues influence outcomes.
Our approach allows nurses to rehearse real-life situations in a safe space, building confidence and competence without real-world consequences.
Outcomes and Impact
Nurse Feedback
Since 2024, our communication training programme has been delivered to almost 1500 first-year student nurses at the University of Chester.
- 96% of nurses reported a positive contribution to their learning.
- 98% felt the training supported their professional development.
(based on 1842 surveys between 2024 and 2025)
Nurses experienced measurable improvements in key interpersonal skills through our training:
NMC Proficiencies
The communication training has also played a pivotal role in helping nurses meet essential learning outcomes outlined in the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses.
An academic poster presented by Jenny Stewart (Skills and Simulation Coordinator, University of Chester) at the RCN Education Forum Conference in April 2026 highlighted how our arts-based communication training has supported nursing students at the University of Chester in achieving NMC proficiencies.
Testimonials
“The communication training this week has helped build my awareness of how tone, body language, and language choices impact interactions, especially under pressure. I am now more conscious of unconscious bias and microaggressions and how they can affect patient dignity and trust. In future practice, I will apply this awareness to communicate more empathetically, maintain professionalism, and support person-centred care in all interactions.”
“I gained a lot of confidence and was really pushed out of my comfort zone. I feel like I’ve grown as a person and student nurse this week.”
“I have really enjoyed this week and can see how beneficial and useful it has been. I have really improved through all these communication sessions. I think this is something that should be common practice.”
“2engage have been amazing, and I have enjoyed every minute of learning with them. I have been excited to come into university!”
Learn More
To find out more about how our communication training programme could support your institution visit: https://2engage.co.uk/homepage-what-we-do-arts-based-training-for-nurses/
