Simulation and Learning Resource Center at Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Earns Prestigious Accreditation
The M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing’s Simulation and Learning Resource Center (SLRC) has earned full accreditation, and also accreditation in the optional area of Teaching/Education, from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).
The most prestigious endorsement in health care simulation, SSH Accreditation is a peer-reviewed, customized evaluation that signifies a simulation program’s distinguishing commitment to excellence. Of the 770 simulation centers in the United States that are listed in the SSH directory (including hospital/medical center-based centers, schools of medicine or nursing, interprofessional organizations and commercial programs), only 207 are fully accredited, and of those, only 30 are colleges of nursing.
SLRC Executive Director Gail E. Furman, PhD, RN, CHSE-A, Clinical Professor, led the Center’s successful effort to gain full SSH accreditation as well as provisional accreditation two years ago.
“SSH accreditation affirms the quality and scope of the state-of-the-art educational experiences that our Simulation and Learning Resource Center provides,” she said. “I am thankful for the support of Dr. Donna Havens, Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor, and our talented team in achieving this milestone.”
Throughout the application process, the SLRC team documented processes and outcomes to demonstrate its compliance with the SSH’s core accreditation standards of mission, governance, program management, resources, program improvement, integrity and contribution to the field.
To show fulfillment of the Teaching/Education standards—Educational Activities, Educational Activity Design, Qualified Educators, and Evaluation and Improvement—the team provided a comprehensive overview of its simulation-based education, from the planning process through implementation, including videotaped exemplars.
In particular, the SSH’s final report noted the strength of the SLRC’s regional support and impact as well as its robust Simulation Scenario Design Template that is used for standardized patient training, faculty standardization, evaluations and pilot testing across all degree types.
“The accreditation process validated the efforts of the simulation team and faculty to follow the standards of best practice,” said Dr Furman. “With this accreditation comes the assurance that activities in the Simulation and Learning Resource Center meet the international gold standard for simulation-based education as determined by leaders in the field. The faculty have the support of simulationists that follow best practices to create the best simulation-based experiences for our learners.”
The SLRC’s accreditation is in effect from December 3, 2024, through December 31, 2029.
Accreditation Process - Participants
The SLRC team, led by Dr. Furman:
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Administrators interviewed by site visitors:
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Faculty interviewed by site visitors:
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Interprofessional Education partner from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP, and one of her students met with the visitors, and our students:
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