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Sentinel U® Nursing Simulation Research Grant
Are you a nurse educator that wants to be at the forefront of virtual simulation?
Do you want to know if virtual simulations improve learning outcomes? Are you interested in conducting research to find out? If so, you’ll have an opportunity to apply for the next Sentinel U® Nursing Simulation Research Grant (SUNSRG) to receive an in-kind grant for Sentinel U virtual nursing simulations in 2022. If your proposal is selected, you will be mentored by Dr. Laura Gonzalez and your findings may be eligible for publication.
2022 SUNSRG: Advanced Practice Series®
This year’s research grant is geared toward Advanced Practice educators. The winner of the grant will be given the opportunity to utilize the Advanced Practice Series® virtual simulations from Sentinel U® in-kind to research how simulations can improve learning outcomes for nurse practitioner, physician assistant/associate, and medical student learners.
Past Winners
In 2021, Sentinel U awarded seven nurse educators with simulation research grants, utilizing cutting-edge virtual simulation products such as Sentinel City® v.5, Prioritization of Care®, and Patient Management and Delegation®. Grant recipients included a variety of nursing schools and hospital systems, including Prairie View A&M University and Mayo Clinic.
About Dr. Laura Gonzalez
PhD, APRN, CNE, CHSE- A, ANEF, FAAN
Vice President, Clinical Learning Resources, Sentinel U®

Dr. Gonzalez is an internationally recognized simulation expert. She is one of 76 advanced certified healthcare simulation educators (CHSE-A) globally. In the fall of 2020, she was recognized by the prestigious American Academy of Nurses as a Fellow (FAAN). She is the 2021 President-Elect for INACSL. She is also a fellow of the Academy of Nurse Educators (ANEF). Her professional nursing and academic career focus is on advancing the science of nursing education through the use of simulation and its impact on learner outcomes. She has a very specific body of work that has resulted in over 20 data-based manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, and one clinical skills textbook. She was Co-PI on a large interprofessional grant through the National Science Foundation (NSF). Her team was able to demonstrate that learners were more engaged and had a higher sense of urgency when interacting with the augmented virtual reality simulator. Her article on deliberate practice reached a readership milestone. She is one of several scientists to have two patents: Detecting Sterile Field Events and Related Methods and Virtual Patients. Lastly, she is a seasoned nurse educator with experience teaching across the curriculum to include live, hybrid, online, and synchronous delivery methods.
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