A Hospital and University Partnership Model for Simulation Education

Nursing has been given the challenge to develop innovative methods for clinical education. Human patient simulation is a creative a way for students and staff nurses to improve clinical reasoning and refine psychomotor skills in a safe and controlled environment. Practice-education partnerships can provide a unique framework for multi-institutional nursing education. This article describes the development of a practice-education partnership between a small nursing program and a local community hospital; human patient simulation was used to provide a combined multi-institutional training program for professional staff nurses and student nurses. Feedback from students and staff nurses regarding this training program was positive, noting improved confidence and greater appreciation for teamwork. Nurse educators considered the benefits and challenges associated with a multi-institutional educational framework and affirmed the value of a practice-education partnership.