Shepherd University Hosts Poverty Simulation to Prepare Students for Real-world Challenges

ISSUED: 26 March 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - The Shepherd University School of Nursing hosted its annual poverty simulation on March 12, supported by funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration through its REACH grant program. Students majoring in nursing, social work, and education collaborated with community members to simulate the day-to-day reality of navigating poverty in West Virginia.

During the simulation, students moved through a series of real-world scenarios by interacting with systems such as banks, mortgage companies, health care providers, and pawnshops.

"I thought the poverty simulation was such an eye-opening experience to the struggles that vulnerable populations can face every day," said Katelyn Turner, a Doctor of Nursing Practice student at Shepherd.

Turner said the experience gave her a new perspective on the challenges many individuals face.

"Navigating each week through the frustrations of systematic barriers, while also dealing with judgments and personal setbacks, allowed me to truly understand the importance that empathy, community, and advocacy can bring to these individuals."

The event provides students with critical insights into the socioeconomic challenges facing the communities they will serve, reinforcing the importance of compassionate, informed care across disciplines.

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