New MSN Clinical Faculty Track Holds Two-Day Simulation Intensive
Ten nurses from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) completed an exciting on-campus Simulation Intensive July 16-17. The offering is part of the new Clinical Faculty track in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.
With generous funding from the Bedford Falls Foundation and the Conway family, as well as support from CHOP, the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN) partnered with CHOP to develop a two-year, 33-credit program, which will offer courses in 8-week blocks focused on developing knowledge and competence. This innovative program of study enables Villanova Nurse Educators to meet the tremendous need for them in our community. Offered extensively online, the curriculum culminates in two engaging experiences that enable students to apply their new knowledge in real practice and education settings. The Simulation Intensive and Clinical Faculty Practicum prepare students to support new nurses’ transition to practice and experienced nurses’ ongoing development. The program leverages Villanova’s expertise in nursing education and its strong clinical partnerships to address the national shortage of clinical nurse faculty.
During the Simulation Intensive, students expanded their competencies in FCN’s Simulation and Learning Resource Center, donning virtual reality headsets to immerse themselves in simulated scenarios constructed specifically by this group and interacting with pediatric manikins to practice real-life situations that are encountered by members of an interdisciplinary health care team.
Now at the halfway point of this six-semester program, members of this first cohort “are building on their clinical expertise while learning to become inspiring and highly qualified educators,” according to Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor Bette Mariani, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN. “These students are tremendously engaged and committed.”
When they graduate in July 2025, these new clinical nurse educators will be prepared to hold joint appointments as both practicing clinical nurses and adjunct faculty in an academic setting.
“We are excited to be able to offer this innovative MSN, which strengthens our position as the learning environment of choice for nursing faculty, staff, students and employers,” said Dr. Mariani. "It is a great addition to our programs and helps us meet our goal 'to educate and launch the next generation of practice-ready nurses.'”
For more information about the MSN-Clinical Faculty track, email nursing.recruitment@villanova.edu.