Ever since Florence Nightingale laid the groundwork for modern professional nursing by founding the first nursing school in 1860, women have led the charge in developing the nursing profession. So, it seems only appropriate that on International Women’s Day, a day that celebrates our achievements, we chose to highlight those who have influenced simulation in nursing education.
Nurse educators started adopting simulation about 20 years ago. Before that, it was primarily used in aviation. As with any new technology, it took the efforts of a few early adopters to bring the product into the mainstream. Today, about two-thirds of all nursing education programs use virtual simulation.
There are four women whom I consider to be true pioneers in this field. Their research and ideas have forever changed how nurses learn. I have had the privilege of meeting each of them and hold each in the highest regard. Their quest for knowledge, commitment to improving nursing education technology, and passion for the profession are worthy of our acknowledgement and appreciation on International Women’s Day and every day.
Pamela R. Jeffries, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF
Dr. Jeffries, dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, is probably the most influential person in nursing simulation. She could be considered the “mother of simulation.”
Her greatest accomplishment is undoubtedly publishing the first major study into simulation education. That framework eventually led to the landmark NLN/Jeffries Simulation Theory upon which the best practices in simulation are levied. It’s become our “nursing bible,” if you will. Countless studies and work derivatives have come from the Jeffries Simulation Framework.
Her vision for simulation – and her model for education research and pedagogy – has helped establish simulation as the critical teaching tool it is today. Dr. Jeffries travels the world sharing her practices and framework.
On a personal level, Dr. Jeffries greatly influenced my life. She is the kindest and most grounded person you will ever meet. Early in my career, her advice led me to where I am today, leading the future of simulation education products.
Amy Cowperthwait, RN, MSN, CNS, CHSE-A
Ms. Cowperthwait is highly regarded as a leader and innovator in healthcare learning innovations, but she most well known for her work as an entrepreneur. In addition to serving as the simulation resource center coordinator and an associate instructor at the University of Delaware, she is the owner and visionary behind Avkin, a wearable healthcare simulation company. The implications of her innovations are so exciting — the concept of a wearable appliance, or product, which simulates the skills being learned – could revolutionize clinical simulations in nursing.
Amy had a vision to improve the nursing simulation experience and she brought it to life. She wanted to emphasize important soft skills by creating assets or peripherals to enhance the standardized patient experience. She recently released a birthing simulator where the “mom” wears a belly which simulates actual childbirth, complete with signals for bearing down. The level of realism and the emotional connection between the mom and the nurse is incredible.
What is most profound is that Amy saw a deficiency in nursing education and found a solution. She is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the simulation community.
Must Read: NLN/Jeffries Simulation Framework for Simulated Participant Methodology
Suzan “Suzie” Kardong-Edgren, PhD, RN, ANEF, CHSE, FSSH, FAAN
Dr. Edgren is probably best known for her work on the landmark NCSBN National Simulation Study, along with Dr. Jeffries, which determined that up to 50 percent of traditional clinical experiences could be replaced with high quality clinical simulations.
What is most impressive is her ability to connect people. The associate professor at Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions can easily recognize a nursing educator’s talent and can make the connections needed to further their interests.
One day she called me and said “You and I should write something.” By creating opportunities for new voices to be heard in our industry Dr. Kardong-Edgren is not only helping elevate science, but she is also elevating women by making these connections.
Must Read: National Council of Nursing National Simulation Study
Margaret Verkuyl, NP: PHC, MN
Ms. Verkuyl, a nursing professor at Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, can be credited with re-envisioning simulation and moving it into the virtual space. She is a world leader in the research and development of award-winning virtual gaming simulations.
What most impresses me about this dynamic female leader is how she is continually maximizing the learning that goes on in the virtual space. Fueled by a passion for virtual nursing simulation, Margaret is always pushing to move nurse education beyond manikins and beyond task trainers. She recognizes the incredible power and potential of virtual simulation and wants to see it widely adopted. In fact, she helped create a series of free simulations which were available to nurse educators during the pandemic.
Must Read: Virtual Gaming Simulation: Evaluating Players’ Experiences
There are certainly many women who have been instrumental in the development of simulation in nursing education but none to the degree as these four: the mother of simulation framework, an innovator developing cutting-edge new products, a connector bringing like-minded researchers together, and a promoter whose passion for simulation is unrivaled.
There are certainly many women who have been instrumental in the development of simulation in nursing education but none to the degree as these four: the mother of simulation framework, an innovator developing cutting-edge new products, a connector bringing like-minded researchers together, and a promoter whose passion for simulation is unrivaled.
These women have made it their life’s mission to improve nursing education. It is now our mission to build upon their work and carry it forward, and at Sentinel U® we are committed to creating innovative and engaging virtual nursing simulation products, elevating the voices of strong female nursing educators and providing enriching simulation scenarios to nursing students.
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