OADN Virtual Simulation Reviews: Transforming Nursing Education Through Crisis

When COVID-19 shut down clinical sites, nursing education faced an unprecedented challenge. Students couldn’t access hospitals and clinics, threatening their ability to complete required training. The crisis demanded immediate innovation.

 

 

Powerful Partnership Creates Solutions

 

The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) joined forces with Unbound® Medicine Inc. to build something revolutionary:

• OADN brought deep nursing education expertise and advocacy power
• Unbound Medicine contributed sophisticated digital publishing infrastructure
• Together, they created a lifeline for nursing programs nationwide

 

Virtual Simulation Reviews (VSR): Expert-Driven Excellence

 

The initiative evolved rapidly from emergency response to established resource:

• The OADN Simulation Task Force assembled nursing education experts to evaluate virtual simulations
• Their work earned international recognition and was elevated to full committee status
• Each product undergoes rigorous review using consistent quality criteria based upon the Healthcare Simulation Standard of Best Practice^TM

 

Real Impact for Educators and Students

 

VSR delivers critical decision support when it matters most:

• Educators access objective reviews of simulation tools before investing
• Programs integrate proven virtual experiences that truly develop clinical skills
• Students receive high-quality clinical education despite external barriers

Access to on demand educational webinars, with topics focusing on:

• Next Gen NCLEX integration
• Simulation best practices
• Diversity and inclusion
• Generative AI in nursing education

 

Not Just for Emergencies: The Future of Nursing Education

 

As published in the peer-reviewed journal Teaching & Learning in Nursing, virtual simulation has moved beyond crisis response to become an essential component of modern nursing education—preparing programs for whatever challenges tomorrow brings.

 

Free access at OADN Virtual Simulation Reviews

 

OADN Simulation Committee

 

The Virtual Simulation Reviews are maintained by the OADN Simulation Committee, a group of dedicated volunteers committed to advancing the role of simulation in associate degree nursing through education and collaboration.

Current Committee Members

*  VSR Contributing Author

Chair: Janeen Berndt, DNP, RN, CNE, CHSE, FAADN, National Director of Clinical Innovation and Integration, Galen College of Nursing, Louisville, Kentucky*

OADN Board Liaison: Liz Robison, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE-A, FAADN; Secretary, OADN Board; Retired Professor of Nursing and Simulation Center Coordinator, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, Florida*

Diane Aliprandi, MSN, RN, CCRN, CHSE, Associate Professor of Nursing, ADN Program, Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa

Theresa Bachman, MSN-Ed, RN, Associate Professor, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Kansas City, Kansas

Diane Lynn Bradley, MS, RN, CNE, CHSE, Simulation Instructor, Delaware Technical Community College, Stanton Campus, Newark, Delaware*

Theresa Cooney, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor, Howard Community College, Columbia, Maryland*

Denise Cortegiano, MSN, RN, Simulation Coordinator and Associate Professor of Nursing, CT State Community College at Three Rivers, Norwich, Connecticut

Tammy Crabtree, BSN, MSN, Skills and Simulation Lab Coordinator, Louisiana State University Eunice, Eunice, Louisiana*

Marci Dial, PhD, DNP, RN, PMGT-BC, CHSE, LNC, Professor of Nursing, Valencia College, Orlando, Florida*

Jennifer Gable, RN, MSN, CHSE, Simulation Coordinator and Associate Professor, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Carman Godfrey, DNP, RN, CHSE-A, Simulation Program Director, Coastal Alabama Community College, Bay Minette, Alabama

Diane Gomez, DNP, MSN, RN, Professor of Nursing, Valencia College, Orlando, Florida

LaNora Gra, MSN, RN, DNP Student and Clinical Education Manager, Galen College of Nursing, Louisville, Kentucky

Susan Green, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE, CHSE, Nursing Faculty, Oakland Community College, Highland Lakes Campus, Waterford, Michigan

Christine Heid, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE, Nursing Simulation Specialist, UbiSim by Labster, Boston, Massachusetts*

Corinn Herrell, ADN, BSN, MSN-Ed, RN, CHSE, CNEn, Faculty Simulation Coordinator, Maricopa Community Colleges, Phoenix, Arizona*

Daniela Herrera Hernandez, MSN-Ed, RN, Simulation Lab Manager, Galen College of Nursing, Pembroke Pines Campus, Pembroke Pines, Florida

Kyra Langley, MSN, RN, CNS, Associate Professor for Nursing and Allied Health; Clinical and Simulation Coordinator; MASH Program Director, Arkansas Northeastern College, Blytheville, Arkansas

Nevada LeCounte, DNP, RN, CMSRN, PCCN, CNE, CHSE, Simulation Specialist and Associate Professor of Nursing, College of Coastal Georgia, Brunswick, Georgia

Deborah Lord, MSN, RN, CHSE, Nursing Instructor, Delaware Technical Community College, Terry Campus, Dover, Delaware*

Cindy Manning, RN, MSN, Assistant Director and Professor, Blinn College District, Bryan, Texas

Christopher “Topher” Mayo, DHS, RRT, CHSOS, Simulation and Lab Coordinator, Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Eric Nappier, DNP, RN, CNE, CHSE, Alumnus PCCN-K, Nursing Instructor and Simulation Coordinator, Calhoun Community College, Tanner, Alabama

Jamie Pasmore, MSN, RN, CNE, CNECL, CHSE, Simulation Specialist, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Alicia Quirk, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, CHSE, Nursing Instructor, Immersive Technologies, Delgado Community College, Charity School of Nursing, New Orleans, Louisiana

Sami Rahman, MEd, MSN, RN, FAADN, Director of Simulation, Blinn College Health Sciences, Bryan, Texas*

Tammy Schwaab, BA, DNP, RN, CHSE, Simulation Director, Assistant Division Chair, and Professor, Carroll Community College, Westminster, Maryland*

Melynda Thelen, PhD, MSN, RN, CHSE, Simulation Lab Manager, Galen College of Nursing, Las Vegas Campus, Las Vegas, Nevada

Karen Walton, DNP, RN, CHSE, NPD-BC, CNE, ASN Program Director, Louisiana State University Eunice, Eunice, Louisiana

Amber Wiedman, MSN-Ed, RN, Simulation Manager, Galen College of Nursing, Nashville Campus, Nashville, Tennessee*

Lori Winters, MS, RN, CHSE, Simulation Nursing Faculty, Century College, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

 

Previous Committee Members:

Founding Chair: Rebecca K. Cockrell, PhD RN, CHSE, Clinical Education Program Manager, Providence St. Joseph Health*

Crystal Bowman, PhD, RN, MSN-Ed., CHSE, CNE, CNE-Cl, Director of Nursing & Allied Health, Oregon Coast Community College*

Skyler Braswell, MSN-CNP, BSN-RN, NREMT-P, Associate Professor at Louisiana State University, Alexandria*

Doreen A. Callaghan, EdD, MSN, RN, Massasoit Community College, Brockton, Massachusetts*

Adam K. Combs, DNP, RN, CPAN, CHSE, Simulation Coordinator & Clinical Nursing Instructor, Wayne Community College*

Tammy Crabtree, Skill Lab Coordinator/Simulation at Louisiana State University, Eunice*

Sarah Darrell, MSN, RN, CHSE, CNOR, Simulation Coordinator, Nursing Associate Professor, Ivy Tech Community College, IN*

Valerie Doig MSN, RN, CCRN-K, Nurse Faculty, Mitchell Community College*

Leigh Dunning MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, Immersive Learning Coordinator, Purdue University Global School of Nursing

Kathy Fischer, MSN, FNP, Associate Professor Nursing, Harper College Palatine, IL*

Jennifer Harwell, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE Associate Professor, University of West Alabama*

Laura Hibbett, MSN, RN, Nursing Simulation Center Director, Trident Technical College, SC*

Mario R. Jara, MSN, RN, Associate Professor, Professional Nursing Department, Austin Community College, Austin, TX*

Kortney Lagasse MSN, RN, Pediatric Full-Time Faculty, Delaware Technical Community College*

Meg Lagunas, PhD, MEd, RN, CHSE, Director of Clinical Learning Center, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire*

Rhonda Lance, MSN, Professor, Blinn College*

Nina Leverkuhn, MSN, RN, Professor, Blinn College*

Audra Lewis, PhD, MSN, RN, CHSE | INACSL-CAE Simulation Fellow Director, ACC Regional Simulation Center, Austin Community College, TX*

Rebecca McElhose, DNP, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Kaskaskia College*

Danica MacRae, MSN, RN, CHSE, Associate Professor, Simulation Coordinator Professional Nursing Department, Austin Community College, TX*

Elizabeth Mencel, DNP RN CN Assistant Professor of Nursing and Simulation Specialist, Montgomery County Community College*

Benjamin Morhan, MSN, RN, CHSE Simulation Innovation Resource Coordinator, Washtenaw Community College*

Lisa Radesi, DNP, MSN-Ed, MSN-CNS, RN, Director of Nursing Accreditation, Joyce University*

Christopher Scott Robertson MSN Leadership/Simulation, Director of Advising and Simulation, College of The Albemarle*

Kathleen Rogers, DNP, RN, CNE, Program Administrator ADN, Eastern Gateway Community College*

Arielle St. Romain, MSN, RN, CNEcl, Instructor, University of Louisiana at Lafayette*

Kimberly Scalise, DNP, MSN, RN, CHSE, CNE, Regional Director Clinical Learning Laboratories, Galen College of Nursing*

Christie Singbusch, MS, RN, CHSE, Simulation Coordinator, Trinity Valley Community College*

Cheryl L Smith, MSN, RN, CNE, Professor of Nursing, Simulationist, Labette Community College*

Judy Staley, MSN, RNC-OB, CNEn, Assistant Professor, Pat Walker School of Nursing at University of Arkansas at Little Rock*

Kathleen Stephenson MS, MA, RN, Professor at University of Alaska*

Lea Stevens, MSN, RN Assistant Nursing Professor, Tarrant County College, TX*

Elaine Vandenburgh, MBA, Healthcare Education and Industry Partnerships Director at Minnesota State HealthForce Center of Excellence*

Anna Williams, MSNc, RN, CNE, FAADN, Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of Arkansas at Little Rock*