The BScN program at McMaster University, the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN), and the Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators using Simulation (CAN-Sim) are collaborating to create a series of virtual simulation games (VSGs) on public health nursing. The simulations, which will be freely available and accessible in both French and English, will take nursing students through three scenarios focused on community assessment, health promotion approaches, and program planning and evaluation. This initiative is funded by a Virtual Learning Strategy grant from eCampus Ontario.
The VSGs integrate video clips that show live actors in a clinical scenario with assessment questions, and are packaged alongside reflection questions, options for debriefing and other resources to support nurse educators in using the games with nursing students. Though designed primarily for use by individual or groups of nursing students and nurse educators in courses, they are also a helpful tool for nurses and other allied health professionals looking to increase knowledge and skills in the area of public health.
“I am thrilled the BScN Program received this funding and will be able to collaborate with our partners to create virtual simulation games in public health, a critical piece of nursing practice that currently lacks this kind of educational resource” said Dr. Joanna Pierazzo, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Nursing Programs at McMaster University.
Dr. Pierazzo is joined by Assistant Clinical Professor Ruth Schofield (McMaster University), national public/community health expert and advocate, who will serve as lead content expert on the project team. The project team also includes Dr. Jane Tyerman (University of Ottawa) and Dr. Marian Luctkar-Flude (Queen’s University), the co-leads of CAN-Sim. CAN-Sim has supported the creation of over 30 games for nurses and nursing education and will create the three public health nursing VSGs. CASN brings expertise in developing nursing education resources and will disseminate the games to nursing schools across Canada.
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McMaster University, School of Nursing is internationally renowned for its nursing education. With a strong history of innovation and teaching expertise, learners are prepared to lead in today’s complex and changing health care contexts. For more information visit https://nursing.mcmaster.ca/
CAN-Sim is a not-for profit organization that connects nurse educators and allied health partners from across Canada and beyond to share knowledge, resources and expertise in areas of simulation education and research and provides professional development in simulation and virtual simulation game design. For more information visit www.can-sim.ca
CASN is a national non-profit organization that represents baccalaureate and graduate nursing education programs in Canada. For more information visit www.casn.ca
