Clinical Simulation Certificate Program
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Health care education in the United States is constantly changing. It is evolving at a rapid rate and these changes, along with the large numbers of medication errors and the nursing shortage, make patient safety a national concern. After publication of the article "To Err is Human" the federal government made a commitment to creating a safer system of care. The ability of a health care provider to react prudently in an unexpected situation is one of the most critical factors in creating a positive outcome in a medical emergency. The skill required to react is not inborn but must be learned and developed through education, practice, training, and repetition. Clinical simulation is an exciting innovative way to educate health care professionals for the future. Simulation provides training and feedback methods that allow learners to practice tasks, develop important skills, and learn procedures in lifelike settings. Simulation technologies are revolutionizing health care education for students as well as seasoned practitioners. The techniques utilized can help to move health care from the "see one, do one, teach one" model to the "see one, practice many, do one" model of success. Just as pilot simulator training improved airline safety, by reducing errors, the use of clinical simulation for education can reduce errors, improve patient safety, and reduce overall health care costs.
View our Clinical Simulation Consulting opportunities.
Description of Program
This interactive Certificate Program is a four week, 32 hour continuing education program for nurses, educators, pharmacists, physicians, physical and respiratory therapists, and other health care professionals interested in gaining knowledge pertaining to clinical simulation. The focus of the program is on the introduction to simulation, types of simulation, creation of a high fidelity simulation laboratory, strategies and scenarios utilized for clinical simulation education, and outcomes measurement. The program consists of four modules. Each module contains reading assignments, an instructor outline, audio visual presentations, interactive learning components, and study guide questions. The course concludes with a comprehensive online exam and a program evaluation. During the program learners interact with faculty who are expert in the area of clinical simulation. A certificate of completion is sent via email approximately two weeks following receipt of all course requirements. The program has been reviewed by local and national experts.
Who Should Enroll in this Program
The program is designed for English-speaking nurses, pharmacists, physical and respiratory therapists, physicians, educators, health facility administrators, and other health care providers interested in the creation of a simulation laboratory or in enhancement of knowledge and current methodologies utilized in clinical simulation.
Program Curriculum
Instruction will include the following content:
- Introduction to simulation
- Creation of a simulation laboratory
- Technology requirements for a simulation laboratory
- Teaching/learning strategies utilized in simulation
- Competency assessment
- Remediation
- Outcome measures
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this continuing education program is to offer educators, nurses, pharmacists, physical and respiratory therapists, physicians, and other health care professionals an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in designing, and managing a clinical simulation laboratory. At the conclusion of this program participants will be able to:
- Define clinical simulation.
- Discuss simulation in health care education.
- Discuss the needs of a clinical simulation program.
- Describe appropriate methodologies for teaching/learning in the simulation environment.
- Describe competency assessment and evaluation.
- Discuss technologies appropriate for use in a simulation laboratory.
Course Schedule
This 4 week course is offered two times a year.
Offering dates for 2013: February
18 (registration deadline February 1 and September 9 (registration deadline August
23).
We reserve the right to cancel any offering if there is insufficient enrollment. Registrants will be notified well in advance if this occurs.
For more scheduling information call 1-877-USI-HLTH (1-877-874-4584) or 812-461-5217. Space is limited so please enroll early.
Enrollment Cost
$400
Fee includes online instruction, handouts, and a comprehensive exam.
The textbook is not included in the cost of the program.
Refund Policy
A $25 administrative fee will be charged for cancellation prior to the start date of the course if the registration fee has been paid.
On or after the start date there will be no refund.
On the start date of the class there will be no refund.
To Register
Click the online registration button below.
(Using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or your organization's authorization to invoice.)
Instruction Methods
A combination of delivery methods are used to facilitate learner and faculty communication including:
Internet via Blackboard
Provides online instructor-prepared materials and course assignments. Internet resources are used as an integral part of the instruction.
Computer Conferencing
Allows learners to interact with faculty and other course participants.
Electronic Mail
Allows learners to freely interact on an individual or group level with other learners and faculty.
The primary mode of communication will be through Blackboard, the learning management system utilized by the University. You will however, be required to provide a personal email address. We recommend that you do not use your work email address for taking this course. Many businesses, especially government agencies, utilize security firewalls. Communication from the instructor, the University, or other students may not be possible and important announcements and other messages may be missed. We also do not recommend you use AOL, for similar reasons. AOL accounts include spam prevention-type filters and our communication with you may be filtered out.
We recommend you obtain a separate email account for your course work. Yahoo.com and MSN.com offer free email accounts.
Telephone Consultation
Faculty will be available by telephone to assist learners.
Technology Requirements
If using a personal computer, it is recommended that the computer have Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, or Mac OS X. For compatibility, you will want to have access to Microsoft Office 2010, Office 2007, or Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac, or Office 2008 for Mac. In some cases, Office Live may be sufficient. For some course content, you may also need Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player and/or Windows Media Player (Flip4Mac WMV Components for QuickTime). Additionally, a broadband Internet connection would be very beneficial; AOL is not recommended. Lastly, if your course uses the Blackboard e-Learning platform, you may wish to verify that you have a compatible web browser.
If your computer is more than 6 years old or does not meet the requirements for running one the above versions of Microsoft Office (Windows system requirements / Mac system requirements), you may want to consider purchasing a new computer.
Text
Information on the textbook will be forwarded upon registration. The cost of the textbook is not included in the cost of the program.
Faculty
- Melissa Warthen, RN, MSN
Program Development
Jackie Young RN
William Shewmaker
Tony Schmitt, RRT, MEd
M. Nance Fiester MEd, RN
M. Jane Swartz MSN, RN
Content Delivery
The program has four modules. Each module includes reading assignments, study questions, case studies and audio visual presentations. Learners interact with practitioners and faculty members who are expert in the area of clinical simulation. A comprehensive examination will be administered at the end of the program.
Why Enroll in an Interactive Internet Program?
The convenience of online instruction allows the participant to "attend" class at any hour or day of the week during the 4 week period. Participants will learn from experts in the area of high fidelity clinical simulation and have the opportunity to network with other course participants from across the country. Online instruction provides an opportunity for personal interaction with program faculty while providing the comfort of learning in your own home or office.
Continuing Education Credits
A Continuing Education Certificate will be awarded following successful completion of study guide questions, an online comprehensive examination (with a passing score of 70% or higher), and submission of a course evaluation. Certificates will be emailed approximately 2 weeks after completion of the course.
Nurses will receive 30 hours.
The University of Southern Indiana, College of Nursing and Health Professions is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Health Facility Administrators will receive 30 hours.
The University of Southern Indiana has been approved by the Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators as a sponsor of continuing education programs for health facility administrators (License #98000033A).
California nurses will receive 30 hours.
The University of Southern Indiana is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider #13378.
