Health leader hones skills

Kwantlen educator selected for year-long Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators.

  • Apr. 14, 2013 12:00 p.m.

Arleigh Bell, simulation facilitator and faculty member of Community and Health Studies (CAHS) at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), has been selected through competitive application for the year-long Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators.

The program, a National League for Nursing’s (NLN) initiative, is designed for those interested in assuming a leadership role in the research or administration of simulation programs in nursing education.

Bell has been a full-time faculty member of KPU’s faculty of CAHS since Jan. 1, 2007.

She has taught across each nursing program offered at KPU and has had a keen interest in teaching nursing skills labs, particularly with high fidelity simulation from the beginning of her employment. Bell facilitates high fidelity simulation and has been instrumental in the integration of this modality through KPU’s curricula.

“I feel this year-long program will assist me with the research skills required to move simulation forward at KPU and has connected me with simulation nurse leaders at the international level with whom I am presently completing a research project,” said Bell. “I am honoured to be part of the NLN Leadership Simulation Program and am thankful for KPU’s support.”

This year’s Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators consists of 20 nurse educators chosen from colleges and universities around the United States and Canada, and includes a simulation leader in Singapore.

The cohort will study for a year under the direction of Pamela Jeffries, DNS, RN, FAAN, ANEF.

Dr. Jeffries, the author of numerous scholarly articles on the subject and editor of the Second Edition of Simulations in Nursing Education: From Conceptualization to Evaluation (NLN, 2012), is a professor in the Department of Health Systems and Outcomes and associate dean for academic affairs at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She is nationally known for her research and work in developing simulations and online teaching and learning.

“I am delighted that Dr. Jeffries has agreed to direct this important NLN initiative for a third year, working with a new group of talented emerging leaders in simulation,” said Beverly Malone, CEO of the NLN. “The NLN’s Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators has already proven to be an intensive and very worthwhile learning experience that, consistent with NLN’s core values of caring, integrity, diversity, and excellence, prepares all participants to propel the science of nursing education and be visionary thought leaders for the 21st century and role models to the next generation.”

KPU’s faculty of CAHS moved into a new home on the Langley campus in August of 2012 with a state of the art simulation centre.

Bell has been busy organizing simulation scenarios and “Open Sim”opportunity for students and faculty in this new facility. KPU’s CAHS programs are grounded in the concepts of caring, collaboration, inclusion and development of healthier communities. Programs vary in length from four year bachelor degrees to five month citations.

For more information, visit www.kwantlen.ca/health

Surrey Now Leader