Virtual simulation technology has revolutionized nursing education programs, forever changing the way nursing students learn and practice their skills. By just how much remains unclear – until now. The inaugural Sentinel U® Nursing Simulation Research Grant will allow a select group of nursing educators to study the impact of virtual simulation on learning outcomes.

The Sentinel U® Nursing Simulation Research Grant will provide nursing educators the opportunity to explore the impact of virtual simulation technology on learning outcomes. Chosen researchers will be awarded in-kind grants of Sentinel U® virtual nursing simulation technology to complete their studies along with mentorship from me and my team.

There are numerous applications for our virtual simulation technology, and we encourage creativity when choosing areas of interest for study. Possible research proposal topics might include seeking answers to important simulation questions such as: “Do virtual simulations increase clinical decision making/clinical reasoning?,” “Do virtual simulations contribute to knowledge retention?,“ or “Are virtual simulations perceived as an authentic encounter?”

Our grant is open to nurse educators affiliated with ADN and BSN academic programs in the United States and Canada. Submitted proposals must include a background, hypothesis or study aim, theoretical framework and methodology. A completion timeline, up to five current references and a letter of support from institution administration are also required. Upon completion of the study, investigators must submit a final report demonstrating their findings and outcomes. Our hope is that our study partners uncover results suitable for publication.

For those interested in participating, please join my informational webinar on July 27, 2021, at 11 a.m. EDT where my team and I will explain the grant project and answer questions.

Register Now

All proposals must be submitted by 11:59pm EDT on September 30, 2021. SUNSRG recipients will be notified on October 20, 2021. A minimum of five proposals will be selected.

To assess the proposals, I’ve assembled an elite committee of nursing education experts to evaluate the entries. I am pleased to announce Michelle Aebersold, Ph.D., RN, CHSE, FAAN (University of Michigan), Mindi Anderson, Ph.D., APRN, CNP-PC, CNE, CHSE-A, ANEF, FAAN (University of Central Florida), Salam Daher, Ph.D. (New Jersey Institute of Technology) and Kristine Skalsky, Ed.D., MSN, RN (American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Post University) have agreed to join our esteemed committee.

We look forward to seeing the innovative ways the industry’s bright and talented researchers plan to use our virtual simulation technology to further advance nursing education and practice. The resulting findings will contribute a great deal to advancing the use of virtual simulation technology in nursing.