Program hosted by National League of Nursing focuses on simulation education
Stephanie Justice, DNP, RN, CHSE, an assistant professor of clinical nursing at The Ohio State University College of Nursing, is one of 16 simulation educators from across the country selected through a competitive application process for the National League for Nursing’s year-long Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators. It is one of two tracks in the NLN Leadership Institute, an initiative of the NLN Center for Transformational Leadership.
The simulation leadership development initiative is designed for the experienced simulation nurse educator who aspires to a leadership role in simulation. Sim Leadership track participants focus on maximizing their leadership potential to advance simulation initiatives in nursing education and practice. They will study for a year under the direction of Susan Forneris, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE-A, FAAN, and Mary Anne Rizzolo, EdD, RN, FAAN, ANEF, FSSH. Dr. Forneris is director of the NLN Division for Innovation in Education Excellence; Dr. Rizzolo is President of the Global Network for Simulation in Healthcare and Consultant to the NLN.
“It is vitally important that, as the most trusted professionals in healthcare, nurses be prepared to take a leading role in promoting excellence in healthcare delivery, advancing health access and equity, and ensuring cultural sensitivity and inclusion in caring for an increasingly diverse population of patients and their families, especially those encountering acute health crises and managing chronic medical challenges,” said NLN Chair Kathleen Poindexter, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, interim associate dean of academic affairs at Michigan State University. “As the nation and the world transitions from a global pandemic to dealing with COVID-19 as an endemic disease requiring ongoing response, the demand for competent leadership in nursing is more urgent than ever.”
“I am so excited to be chosen for this leadership program,” Justice said. “I want to be a leader in simulation here at the College of Nursing and develop experiences for students that will enhance their learning and prepare them for their nursing careers. This program will provide me with the skills and tools to excel in my role in the Extended Reality Lab (XR) that is scheduled to open this fall at our college. The program focuses on developing my strengths as a leader and recognizing the strengths in others to build a successful team.”
Justice carries more than 10 years of experience in simulation and has been a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) for the last five years. Among her experience:
- Helped design the Healthcare Education Simulation Station (HESS), a tablet-based set of simulation tools that are inexpensive and portable, at Otterbein University.
- Taught simulation and moulage (the art of applying makeup to simulate injuries or disease process) in Central America and Australia
- Serves on the CHSE Advisory Team for the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and participated in writing the CHSE Blueprint Review
- Working on simulation development for Enhancement of the Public Health Nurse Role in Simulation-based Interprofessional Team Education (EnSITE) sponsored by HRSA
- Member of the Virtual Reality Simulation Interest Group for the International Nursing Association for Clinical and Simulation Learning (INACSL)
To expand the science of nursing education while developing their personal leadership portfolios, participants spend time engaged in varied activities that examine key issues related to simulation, then focus their efforts in an area of their choice. Justice will work on creating an Operationalizing VR toolkit with colleagues Adriana Rumoro from Rush University Medical Center’s Department of Professional Nursing Practice and JoAnn Tingum from The College of St. Scholastica School of Nursing.
Throughout the year, these simulation educators will be immersed in leadership development webinars; exchange ideas and best practices in simulation in private forums; review existing scholarly research; visit simulation centers around the country to evaluate resources and operations; contribute to a group project that is posted in the Simulation Innovation Resource Center (SIRC); and attend professional conferences.
“The National League for Nursing is delighted to continue our commitment to the Leadership Institute, reflecting our unflagging dedication to professional development and leadership in healthcare education, practice and policy,” said NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN.
