Making the Financial Case for Simulation RN Educators: A New Staffing Model

Abstract :

Background: The sheer number of faculty, twenty-six, required to teach undergraduate nursing labs created challenges with staffing and consistent, high-quality teaching. Having numerous graduate DNP student immersions each trimester resulted in multiple faculty and coordinators communicating with the simulation director, which caused confusion and inconsistency.
Project

Description: Simulation leaders worked with the business officer to complete a cost analysis of using part-time faculty versus hiring full-time staff to teach in the labs. The cost- analysis revealed that six staff could be hired full-time, and the school remain relatively budget-neutral. The school leaders verified with the state Board of Nursing that this model met nursing education standards. The Simulation RN Educators collaborate with lead faculty in the undergraduate program for labs and simulation activities. Based on their clinical specialty, they also function as the liaisons with the respective graduate DNP programs.
Outcomes: No statistically significant difference occurred between the students’ undergraduate health assessment grades between 2021 and 2023 (p>0.01.) and 2022 and 2023 (p>0.01.). Graduate student satisfaction rate with immersions increased from a low of 40% in 2021 to 78% in 2023. Graduate faculty feedback has been positive, “Immersions have never run so smooth, ever!”

Conclusion: Collaborating with the financial officers at nursing schools to conduct benefit-cost analysis may yield opportunities to explore new staffing models in simulation centers. This collaboration is also beneficial when desiring to explore or implement new quality improvement initiatives.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to participate in your session.: Simulation leaders will learn more about how to collaborate with their business officers to create and implement new staffing models to improve day-to-day operations and educational experiences for students.