In a powerful shift from theory to emotion, 33 nursing students at IMU University stepped into the emotional realities of patient care during an immersive empathy training workshop titled Two Routes to Care. Held on 24 April and 19 May 2025, the workshop used game-based learning to simulate emotional loss, helping nursing students connect with patients on a deeper, more human level.

Organised by Ms Lee Mei Ying and Ms Deepa A/P Kaliappen, under the leadership of Principal Investigator Ms May Goh Lay Khim, the workshop is part of an educational research project by the Nursing Division. It is funded by the IMU Internal Research Grant and the IMU-ICE Research Excellence Grant for Educational Research 2024, highlighting IMU university’s commitment to advancing nursing education through evidence-based innovations.

The training is grounded in the Dual-Route Model of Empathy and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory. These frameworks blend emotional experience with structured reflection, allowing participants to develop both affective empathy (emotional resonance) and cognitive empathy (perspective-taking).

During the session, participants engaged in a symbolic paper-tearing activity, where each slip of paper represented a meaningful aspect of their life, such as their most significant person, greatest achievement, or favourite hobby. As the slips were removed or destroyed, participants experienced a simulation of loss, followed by reflective journaling to promote self-awareness, then simulated patient interviews to build communication skills.

“The game acted like a catalyst. It made understanding empathy easier,” one participant shared.

Another reflected, “Physically destroying slips that represented my hobbies and loved ones helped me instantly grasp the pain of loss. It made me realise how patients feel when they lose something important.”

Participants repeatedly described the session as engaging, emotional, and thought-provoking. One particularly powerful moment occurred when a participant tore another person’s paper: “I felt guilty. It was a strong reminder of how our actions, even unintentional ones, can affect patients emotionally.”

Many participants expressed a renewed understanding of their own communication styles and the importance of responding to patients with empathy and emotional sensitivity.

Feedback from the workshop was overwhelmingly positive. Students rated the quality of facilitators at 4.63 out of 5, the relevance of the content to clinical practice at 4.48, and overall satisfaction at 4.56. Beyond these ratings, students reported increased confidence in patient interactions and a deeper appreciation for the role of empathy in delivering safe, compassionate care.

The Two Routes to Care initiative is more than just a workshop. It reflects the IMU University Nursing Division’s dedication to developing future nurses who are not only clinically skilled, but also emotionally intelligent and ethically grounded. It represents a strategic step forward in integrating emotional and reflective learning into the nursing curriculum.

Upon completing data collection and evaluating the impact of this workshop, the IMU Nursing Division plans to consider incorporating more empathy-focused, experiential content into its formal teaching and learning approach. If the intervention proves effective, it may become a cornerstone of empathy training for all nursing students or other programmes at IMU University.

This initiative demonstrates how empathy can be intentionally cultivated through innovative education. By training participants to “feel what patients feel,” the Nursing Division is building a new generation of nurses who are prepared to care not only for the body, but also for the heart and mind of every patient. In a world where healthcare is becoming increasingly complex and fast-paced, empathy remains a vital skill. It is what helps nurses bridge the gap between clinical procedures and human connection. IMU University Nursing Division recognises this and continues to lead by example through research-backed teaching strategies and transformative learning experiences.

For aspiring nurses looking for a programme that combines clinical excellence with deep human understanding, IMU University offers a meaningful place to begin. The Nursing programme prepares students to meet the real challenges of patient care, equipped not only with technical knowledge, but with empathy, resilience, and purpose. At IMU University, nursing is more than a profession—it is a calling built on science, compassion, and the unwavering belief that every patient deserves to be heard, seen, and cared for with empathy.

Written by Ms Lee Mei Ying, Ms Deepa A/P Kaliappen & Ms Goh Lay Khim
Reviewed by Dr Lim Swee Geok.