Virtual Simulated Placement to support the leadership development of nurses globally
In partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, MILCOT Uganda and Children’s Health Ireland, Coventry University and the Nursing Now Challenge will lead the development and implementation of a new Virtual Simulated Placement (VSP) to support the development of leadership skills among nurses, with a specific focus on digital leadership. Thanks to funding from The Burdett Trust for Nursing, over the coming year this consortium of partners will work together to create and roll out a truly global learning experience for early-career nurses.
Virtual simulated placement (VSP) is the use of browser-based virtual environments to simulate patients, clients, users and colleagues to develop proficiency capabilities by working through life-like, challenging situations. VSPs are the bridge between classroom learning and real-life clinical experience and perhaps the most exciting aspect of VSPs is that they allow nurses equity of access. All nurses can experience all clinical contacts equally, rather than what clinical contacts are available at a given time. This means that virtual placement becomes truly equitable and truly global.
Nursing Now Challenge network members from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, MILCOT Uganda and Children’s Health Ireland will be the first to pilot this VSP, with the hope of one-day offering exchange opportunities to nurses having completed the VSP.
“Children’s Health Ireland is excited to be part of this wonderful opportunity for our early-career nurses to learn with others from around the world in a new, flexible and innovative way on how to learn a skill and habit that will support them throughout their lifetime and career.” Rosemarie Sheehan, Project Officer Children’s Nursing Strategy, Children’s Health Ireland.
“Winning this bid is such exciting news! Giving our young nurses an opportunity to learn about leadership and culture from others around the world will be a priceless experience.” Julie Moody, Director of Patient Services Education, Clinical Instructors Nursing & Residency Programme Director, Centre for Professional Excellence and Education, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
“This success reflects the passion and commitment of our team to improve the experience and exposure of young nurses and midwives to different culturally sensitive clinical scenarios.” Grace Edwards, Advisor, MILCOT Uganda.
Coventry University Assistant Professor (Health Simulation) Abbie Green said: “This exciting opportunity for knowledge transfer enables our team to take our in-house digital innovations to a global platform, supporting the development of leadership and digital skills for early-career nurses worldwide. We are delighted to be on this journey and collaborate with great partners such as Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, MILCOT Uganda and Children’s Health Ireland.”
This project will empower early-career nurses to develop their leadership capabilities by:
- Enabling early-career nurses to make independent and autonomous decisions in a safe virtual environment
- Providing the opportunity to learn from role models to inspire early-career nurses and their confidence in leading teams
- Providing the opportunity for professional socialisation through mentoring in different geographical and cultural contexts
- Providing detailed, immediate performance feedback that enables early-career nurses to feel valued and encourages further learning, which may not be possible in a real-life environment
- Enhancing their digital literacy skills, capabilities and confidence which will increase creativity and innovation.
This VSP will be created by nurses with early-career nurses being heavily involved during the development phase as well as through ongoing monitoring and evaluation. In this way, nurses will lead both the creation of the VSP and the implementation of this project.
Stay tuned for more on this exciting project coming soon!