Adult Standardized Patient Application
Interested in becoming a Standardized Patient?
We recruit and employ individuals who have the ability to portray patients with many different conditions and emotional states in both inpatient and outpatient simulated settings. Standardized patient events offer students the opportunity to practice communication and physical assessment skills in a safe environment and further their development as emerging health care professionals. Standardized Patients (SPs) are also utilized in the testing and evaluation of students and are coached to be able to effectively provide meaningful feedback to students verbally or through a written feedback tool.
The GVSU Standardized Patient Program currently serves students from many academic programs which include Nursing, Physician Assistant Studies, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiologic and Imaging Sciences, Therapeutic Recreation, Speech and Communication Disorders, Clinical Dietetics and Social Work.
Our Standardized Patient Team is proud of the work we do to enhance our student’s learning opportunities. Our events are held year round during the day, evenings and on Saturdays. Most standardized patients (SPs) work 4-5 times a semester. SPs (adult and children) are hired as temporary employees of the university and paid an hourly wage.
Applications are currently closed. Please check back after April 1, 2026, when they will reopen.
Resources
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As an SP, I effort to be a quality and realistic “patient” and take my roles seriously, with the goal of contributing to students’ learning experiences and providing a safe space for students to practice their clinical and interpersonal skills (and make mistakes).
The Standardized Patient Program staff at GVSU are an excellent team and train SPs thoroughly to meet educational objectives. I'm never left with inadequate understanding of case objectives.
Besides specific case portrayal, I feel a large part of our value also lies in the (specific) feedback we provide to them — how it feels to be their “patient.” Some of the most rewarding and exciting things are seeing students mature and progress in their skills and witnessing their “aha” moments.
It’s a privilege to be part of their educational process and rewarding in so many ways to be an SP — and it’s fun!
~ Deb A.
I've been a standardized patient at GVSU for about three and a half years. I like to call it my acting job—but it's so much more than that. While I genuinely enjoy engaging with and learning from the staff and my fellow “patients,” the real reward comes from witnessing students grow into confident, capable medical professionals. There’s nothing quite like the joy of being present when a student experiences that “aha” moment.
~ Linda S.
As an alumni of GVSU’s Kirkhof School of Nursing and a retired RN, I find it very fulfilling and satisfying to be part of helping the next generation of Nurse’s, PA’s, Nurse Practitioner’s, PT’s, OT’s, and Social Worker’s gain practical experience for their profession.
~ Shirley O., RN, BSN
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