This session presents the need for open educational resources for simulation educators as the need for more innovative ways of educating future nurses arise. The high cost of training for educators to become competent in the use of simulations in nursing education can be a barrier to the use of such technology in nursing education. There needs to be an initiative and continued advocacy to provide more accessible and affordable education on using simulation for all nurse educators, which, will eventually improve nursing education and quality of patient care. The current pandemic also highlights the reliance of higher education on traditional models of nursing education, specifically clinical education. Alongside the need to keep up with society’s demands for better ways to educate nurses, there is also an urgent need to convert to the use of simulations as the way to provide clinical education due to restrictions imposed by COVID 19. Nurse educators need urgent education on how to teach through simulations, but education may not be readily available, accessible, nor affordable. Furthermore, nurse educators, also need to learn how to facilitate, not just traditional simulations, but virtual simulations as well.
As a response to such urgent need, the authors designed a Virtual Simulations 101 through a simulation consortium. This is an asynchronous on-line course made up of four modules on the basics of simulation with focus on virtual simulations and standards of best practice. The course was pilot tested by clinical educators, and further revised after receiving feedback from learners. Principles and strategies of remote learning and teaching were implemented in designing the course.
This open resource was disseminated to all nursing programs in the state of Maryland. One nursing program required all its faculty to complete the course prior to starting clinical. Four release ESH was provided for their faculty. Over the span of one month, over 60 nursing faculty have enrolled in this course, 30 have successfully completed it.
The course has received positive feedback both from novice and expert simulation educators. Sample feedback includes:
“As we transition into total remote instruction for Fall 2020, the information not only provides necessary tools for facilitating that transition, these modules have encouraged me to be mindful of employing systematic methods that have already been vetted (rather than me just "winging" it!).”
Learning Outcomes: Discuss relevance of open educational resources for simulation education
Explore designs for open educational resources for simulation educators
Describe the key elements of virtual course design of Virtual Simulations 101
