Meaningful use of technology within an advanced health assessment course: A focus on evaluating Nurse Practitioner student's documentation using simulation

The benefits of clinical simulations have been well-documented,  to advance critical thinking, evaluation of competency and overall assessment of learning. Simulation can range from high fidelity, utilizing sophisticated SIM™ laboratories to lower fidelity methods such as role-play. Between these two extremes lies the use of educational software that is one-dimensional. Even the best simulation software needs to have a meaningful use in a nurse practitioner program. Each type of simulation has a cost in personnel and materials, and adding technology without thoughtful planning has drawbacks. Careful selection of virtual environment requires consideration of burden on the university and students, and needs to evaluate truly the student learning. This presentation will discuss the successful implementation of the simulated patient Tina Jones by Shadow Health™ into revision of the advanced adult health assessment course with the specific focus on evaluation of nurse practitioner documentation.