In a new project entitled Essential COVID-19 Skills for Graduating and New Nurses, the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) and the Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators Using Simulation (CAN-Sim) partnered to develop five virtual simulation games (VSGs). The VSGs include information and visual demonstrations of the practice modifications, and infection prevention and control measures in place during the pandemic. The goal of these VSGs is to strengthen the capacity of nursing students and registered nurses to provide safe and effective care, while protecting themselves and others from the spread of infection.
The VSGs are a virtual learning tool that can be used to develop knowledge and skills related to the clinical scenarios. They will remain relevant for preparing nurses to meet entry-level competencies long after the end of the pandemic. As schools of nursing continue to face varying access to clinical placements, tools that can be accessed virtually become essential. The VSGs are easily scalable, accessible by distance, and are freely available in both official languages for use in educational programs or self-directed learning.
VSGs have been developed in the following five areas:
- Care of patient on ventilation
- Multiple organ dysfunction
- Geriatric fluid volume deficiency
- Deteriorating patient
- Running a code
The creation of the virtual simulations has been led by Dr. Jane Tyerman of the University of Ottawa and Dr. Marian Luctkar-Flude of Queen’s University, the Co-Presidents of the Canadian Alliance of Nursing Educators using Simulation, who have developed over 30 user-friendly, evidence-based virtual simulations for nurses. CASN has collaborated with Simulation Canada to ensure the simulation series will be delivered nationally to nurses and other health professionals in practice settings.
