Pennsylvania Nurse, Front Page 71(4) | Page 18

Real World Simulations By Ann Marie Hoyt-Brennan Simulation Education Specialist, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing Introduction The need for well-prepared healthcare professionals is evident in the wake of national and international disasters. The September 11th attacks, the Boston Marathon bombing, the airport bombing in Brussels, tornado touchdowns, the Louisiana floods, California wildfires, and the Orlando Florida nightclub shooting are just some of the events involving massive causalities. These events have overwhelmed local healthcare systems and highlighted the pressing need for targeted preparation of the healthcare workforce. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008) and Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (2011) include competencies for nurses to act responsibly in the event of a disaster. In response to the increased frequency of disasters, nurse educators are challenged to develop teaching methodologies that integrate emergency preparedness into the nursing curricula. At the University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, faculty include this content in a community nursing course. First-semester senior students learn about the variety of professional nursing roles available in settings outside of an acute care hospital. Through various clinical placements and simulations, nursing students are exposed to scenarios highlighting important leadership and clinical skills in both traditional and non-traditional settings. Content experts are enlisted to act as patients (or clients) Fall 2016 Pennsylvania Nurse 16