As the national advocate and transformative voice in healthcare leadership for the over 1,100 associate degree nursing programs nationwide, The Organization of Associate Degree Nursing Programs (OADN) works to advance excellence in nursing education and associate degree pathways into registered nursing careers. OADN holds an annual convention to bring educators together and advance nursing education. This year, the annual convention was held in Tampa, Florida, from October 30 – November 1, 2024. The theme of the convention was Bridges the Past to Build the Future. This HealthySimulation.com article by Teresa Gore, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CHSE-A, FSSH, FAAN, convention highlights for nursing simulation readers.
Annual Convention 2024
There were 525 registered attendees at OADN’s 40th Anniversary Convention. The convention’s theme was “Bridging the Past to Build the Future.” Keynote Addresses included:
- Changing the Game & Forging New Paths: The Power of Advocacy, Leadership, and Mentorship by Roberto Roman Laporte, PhD, DNP, RN, CMSRN, EBP-C: This presentation delves into the transformative roles of advocacy, mentorship, and leadership in both nursing education and the broader healthcare landscape.
- The Curious & Dangerous Power of Story: Advancing Justice by Making Room for Everyone by Beth Toner, ADN, RN, MSN, MJ, MFA: Learn how we, as nurses and educators, can use our innate storytelling and story-listening abilities to make our nursing education and practice more just and more inclusive. By
- From Concepts to Competency: Leveraging CBE for Enhanced ADN Education by Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler, PhD, CNM, CNE: This lecture explored the application of Competency-Based Education (CBE) within Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs. The discussion delved into the core principles and benefits of CBE, emphasizing its impact on student outcomes. Practical strategies are provided for integrating CBE into a concept-based curriculum, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
- Back to the Future: A Backward Design to Nursing Education by Desiree A. Diaz, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, CHSE-A, ANEF, FSSH, FAAN: Provided a brief historical perspective highlighted the advances and deficiencies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion with education. A keen focus on simulation and public health was explored. A highlight of the discussion was how technology and forward-thinking can shape student and community health outcomes.
- Closing Session: Next Generation NCLEX: The Future is Here by Jason A. Schwartz, MS, Director of Outreach, NCSBN: Provide an update of the NCSBN results, and shared other exam-related information and news of interest to faculty.
Unleashing the Potential of Generative AI: Transforming Nursing Education Simulations and Beyond Workshop
This three-hour workshop explored the principles of the INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (HSSBOP) and the potential applications of generative AI in nursing education. The Simulation Committee Panel discussed the benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations associated with the integration of AI technologies into simulation-based education. The panel provided examples of prompts entered into various AI platforms with the results.
During the last hour of the workshop, the audience worked in groups while being mentored by the panel to apply AI-driven tools to enhance teaching and learning outcomes with adherence to HSSOBP with a simulation scenario development. The participants developed a simulation scenario based on the prompts provided by the panelists. The participants were able to select the platform they wanted to use. At the end of the workshop, participants were provided with a QR Code to download a toolkit of the resources provided and used during the AI workshop.
“The OADN convention is such a valuable event for simulationists in all degree levels. OADN has demonstrated its commitment to simulation by establishing our Simulation Committee. There are several sessions on simulation specifically. However, there are also many other valuable topics that can inform our simulation practice. I encourage simulationists to attend next year!” stated Co-Chair OADN Simulation Committee Janeen Berndt, DNP, RN, CNE, CHSE.
Key takeaways from the workshop for nurse educators who develop simulation or want to improve the use of AI in the classroom were:
- Be very detailed in the use of prompts
- The process is iterative and will build upon the continuation of the previous unclosed entry
- Be prepared to modify the outputs
- AI is where the expertise of the simulation educator comes to play.
- The use of AI can be a time-saver when used to augment lectures and simulations
- Make sure to verify and validate information due to AI inclusion of hallucination (false information)
- The panelists were able to identify that each platform had strengths, weaknesses, and personalities or tones of outputs
View the HealthySimulation.com Webinar Virtual Simulation Product Reviews from the Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) to learn more!
OADN Simulation Committee Virtual Simulation Product Reviews
The Simulation Committee offers a peer-reviewed evaluation of virtual simulations for their alignment with the INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice. The committee does not endorse any product or company vendor. The Virtual Simulation Reviews is a structured database that helps nursing school leadership identify virtual simulation products suitable for curricular needs. Because replacement of clinical time is a necessity for many organizations during the pandemic, OADN VSR clearly delineates how selected virtual simulation products meet each of the eleven criteria outlined in the INACSL Standards of Best Practice: Simulation. The latest reviews will be aligned with the 2021 Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice by INACSL.
This service is a free resource for all of nursing education. To access the virtual simulation product review, visit OADN and register to receive this valuable resource. OADN has published an article on virtual simulation reviews.
“COVID-19 led many schools that were part of OADN’s membership to shift to a virtual learning platform. Many struggle to find acceptable virtual simulation resources. A team of three OADN members headed by Rebecca Cockrell worked together to meet the member’s request while providing a way to vet virtual simulation resources. Thus, the Virtual Simulation Review process was conceptualized. At the same time, Unbound offered their expertise as a digital platform and were instrumental in the development process to fit their model. The OADN / Unbound, Inc. partnered to then put out reviews housed and maintained by Unbound.
The initial membership of this group was established as a task force, and then about two years into the process it was approved by the board to become a formal committee. Initially, the group reviewed free resources – and then branched out to vendor products and very low-cost products. The initial template to conduct the reviews was revised shortly after the INACSL standards were changed and rebranded, so we used current standards. We are re-reviewing all the products under the 2016 standards and have a few left to re-review.” stated OADN Simulation Committee Co-Chair Elizabeth Robison, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE-A.
Special Thanks to Exhibitors and Sponsors
There were over 60 Exhibitors in the exhibit hall. A special thanks to the vendors that sponsored the convention:
- Premier Sponsor: Laerdal
- Platinum Sponsors: CastleBranch, and Wolters Kluwer
- Diamond Sponsors: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, ATI, Blueprint Nursing, Galen College of Nursing, Kaplan Nursing, Level Up RN, mcg, and University of Phoenix
- Sapphire Sponsors: Post University American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Science and Lecturio Nursing
- Emerald Sponsors: TurnItIn, Nurse Achieve, Pearson, WGU Leavitt School of Nursing
