Simulation community of practice calls still going strong
By Lygia Lee Arcaro, RN
SimLEARN Director, Nursing Programs
VHA SimLEARN National Simulation Center
ORLANDO, Fla. – Do you remember what you were doing in June 2011? Simulation Learning Education, and Research Network (SimLEARN) staff were celebrating 13 months in existence as the first Simulation Community of Practice Call was just beginning. Meeting monthly, there were no guest speakers on the earlier calls as these calls centered on operations. The audience? The VISN (Veterans Integrated Service Network) Simulation Champions who were designated between 2009 and 2010 attended.
Most of the attendees were learning more about simulation and how to execute the concept and practice at their sites. Early adopters were present and tended to concentrate on life saving skills such as basic and advanced life support, anesthesiology topics, physical assessment skills, and care of the critically ill patient, just to name a few of the classes taking place. Some VISNs purchased simulation equipment for all medical centers under their governance.
Over the years there have been numerous calls with guest speakers both internally and externally to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Agenda items, at first, went from when the calls should be scheduled to most recently during the September call, where an external expert, Janine Valko, MSN, RN, CEN, from the Allegheny Health Network, spoke about “Escape Rooms in a Simulated Environment.”
The calls provide an opportunity for VHA professionals to network and share thoughts and ideas with experts in the simulation field and to contact those who have put their ideas into practice. Opportunities to speak with others having the same curiosities and pursuits as you do is done in a relaxed environment. Whether you are planning, implementing, evaluating, revising your simulation program, or looking for great ideas, this monthly call is for you.
Join SimLEARN staff and guest speakers on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time using the MS Teams link from the email announcement (November and December’s calls are one week earlier related to the end of year holidays).
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