Villanova Nursing Simulation Experts Honored by International Organization

Bette Mariani, PhD, RN, ANEF, (left) vice dean for Academic Affairs and associate professor, and Patricia Prieto, MBA, BSN, RN, CHSE, simulation operations specialist and acting director of the Simulation and Learning Resource Center at the Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing were honored for excellence in simulation at the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) virtual conference June 26.

Dr. Mariani was celebrated as the recipient of the Spirit of Simulation Leadership Excellence Award: Advancing the Field of Nursing Simulation & Clinical Laboratories. She is both a researcher and expert in use of simulation in nursing education and is a past-president of INACSL. The organization cited the high regard in which she is held by peers, noting her to be a “transformational leader” and “promoting the growth and numbers of educated nursing simulationists to lead simulation activities in this new decade.”

Prieto was recognized with the Frontline Simulation Champion Excellence Award: Advancing the Field of Nursing Simulation & Clinical Laboratories. She has demonstrated exemplary dedication in the day-to-day implementation of simulation and has truly gone beyond the ordinary to demonstrate extraordinary dedication to excellence in the delivery of simulation-based learning at FCN. Enthusiastic and dedicated to advancing simulation, she has been integral to many initiatives such as structured debriefing, high stakes testing, virtual reality simulation, and the integration of TeamSTEPPS. In stepping in as the acting director, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, she is a critical link in the shift to online and virtual learning during the transition, and students never missed a beat in their clinical learning because of her commitment to go above and beyond to find the best resources available.