York College Nursing Simulation Lab moves toward accreditation

York College of Pennsylvania has completed updates to its Nursing Simulation Lab at the Dr. Donald E. and Lois J. Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions, with the help of a 2021 Memorial Health Fund Grant through the York County Community Foundation.

The $13,202 grant was used to build infrastructure toward the development of an accredited simulation center within the next three to five years, ensuring quality simulation-based learning experiences for students and local health care providers at WellSpan and UPMC.

Infrastructure includes personnel, physical space, equipment, policies and organizational commitment. The college has already set aside physical space within the Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions, hired a director of simulation and bought new equipment.

“The college will need further assistance in dedicating resources to support new faculty development in simulation pedagogy and exploring additional opportunities to bring together individuals from multiple disciplines to care for patients,” Dr. Stacy Lutter, interim dean of the school, said in a release.

As the goal of national accreditation is sought in the next few years, more simulation equipment will be purchased.

“The creation of an accredited simulation center at York College will provide the community with continuity in nursing practices,” Rodney Grim, director of simulation experiences at Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions, added. “It will allow students an opportunity to train and learn using similar equipment as future employers, to better understand real-life scenarios. In addition, it will provide benefits for their professional careers in the long term.”

The college also expects to partner with local health care institutions to conduct training and inter-professional education classes for their staff, as well as cooperative education opportunities that bring together student nurses and professional nurses for simulation experiences.

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer