Virtual Simulation Reviews – A Vetted Resource to Augment Curriculum

Written by Elizabeth S. Robison, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE-A
Professor Emeritus, Northwest Florida State College
OADN Simulation Task Force Member

Published: May 2022

Do you struggle to find virtual simulation resources that support interactive, experiential learning activities within your curriculum to target specific gaps? The Virtual Simulation Review portal may be an invaluable resource to you. Elizabeth (Liz) Robison, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE-A, who is a member of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) Simulation Task Force and is involved with simulation within prelicensure nursing programs, will introduce you to this free resource and to how experts developed the process for reviewing virtual simulation products. Essential within the review is the integration of Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (HSSOBP)^TM: Simulation Design published by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL). Incorporating simulation within curricula requires an understanding of best practices and application within curricula to support ACEN Criterion 4.1. As an internationally-recognized association dedicated to advancing the science of healthcare simulation, INACSL publishes each standard of the HSSOBP ^TM on their website and within the Clinical Simulation in Nursing journal as open-access articles. To assist decision-makers, the review also outlines a summary of key features, content types, cost, whether a given demonstration is available from a paid vendor, equipment, faculty and student support, and other features regarding QSEN and NCLEX Test Plan mapping.

A joint effort between the OADN and Unbound Medicine, Inc. resulted in the OADN Virtual Simulation Reviews. Individuals can sign up for free and search for a virtual simulation that supports course objectives on this website. The first reviews focused on open-access products (one product from Canada funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, one from the Ryerson University Healthcare Experience, and another supported by the Healthcare Initiative Foundation of Montgomery County, Maryland, the Montgomery College Nursing Simulation Library). Providing information on open-access resources was a top priority to the team as fiscal resources were limited for nursing education programs during the initial move to virtual learning. Additionally, Robison was part of a team of nurse educators from the task force who published the journey of how this resource was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article, OADN Virtual Simulation Reviews: Team Collaboration to Develop an Online Resource to Assist Nurse Educators, was part of a special edition on innovation and creativity in nursing education in OADN’s journal, Teaching and Learning in Nursing.

The concurrent presentation, Virtual Simulation Reviews – A Vetted Resource to Augment Curriculum, will showcase how a virtual simulation can support curriculum gaps related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives as well as the application of several ACEN Standard 4 criteria. A recent addition to the review website is a DEI indexing tag, so DEI product resources are searchable on the website. The website also provides other quick product links in the subject index including Health Assessment, Maternal & Newborn, Medical-Surgical, Mental Health, Pediatrics, and Sexual Identity and Gender Orientation. Whether you are a nurse educator or administrator, this presentation will provide details on accessing this free resource and how to use information in the reviews to assist with curriculum integration decisions regarding virtual simulations.

Author Information

Elizabeth S. Robison, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE-A
Professor Emeritus, Northwest Florida State College
OADN Simulation Task Force Member