Fifth Annual Debra Spunt Lecture Set for NLN Education Summit

Expert Panel to Discuss Leadership in Simulation: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Saturday, September 24, 8:30-9:30 am, Cypress Ballroom 3
Marriott World Center, Orlando, FL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/CALENDAR LISTING

New York, NY — August 31, 2011 — In a departure from tradition, in which one scholar in simulation in nursing education has been selected to deliver the prestigious Debra L. Spunt Lecture, the National League for Nursing has chosen to mark the lecture series fifth anniversary by inviting back the previous four presenters. Sharon Decker, PhD, RN, ACNS, ANEF (Texas Tech University); Janet L. Grady, DrPH, RN, FAAN, ANEF (University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown); Pamela Jeffries, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF (Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing); and Suzan Kardon-Edgren, PhD, RN, ANEF (Washington State University-Spokane) have all graciously agreed to participate in a panel discussion, which will take place on the final morning of the NLNs 2011 Education Summit in Orlando, Florida, September 21-24. The panel will be introduced and moderated by Mary Anne Rizzolo, EdD, RN, FAAN, ANEF, a consultant to the NLN.

These four leaders in nursing education and simulation will treat attendees to a comprehensive summary of advances in simulation development and research and an exploration of future directives and challenges.

Among the questions to be addressed, in an informal presentation, will be:

• What evidence do we have that what we are currently doing, i.e., taking students to health care facilities for clinical practice, works?
• What evidence do we have that simulation works?
• What DONT we know about simulation — what research remains to be done?
• What needs to be done about faculty development so that nurse educators learn to do simulation well?
• What is the role of simulation in interprofessional education?

The Debra L. Spunt Lecture honors the lifelong contributions to excellence in nursing education, in particular leadership in the design, development, and implementation of simulation in nursing education of one outstanding colleague. In establishing the lectureship in 2007 with funding from Laerdal Medical Corporation, the NLN lauded the late Debra L. Spunt, DNP, RN, FAAN as a "symbol of leadership and a true inspiration."

"Her unflagging commitment and dedication to excellence in nursing education distinguished her as a teachers teacher," said Dr. Beverly Malone, CEO of the NLN, in an announcement to the NLN Board of Governors in 2007.

Nationally and internationally recognized for her knowledge, expertise, and leadership in clinical simulation, especially the use of computerized patient simulators via clinical case scenarios to educate nurses and other health care providers, Dr. Spunt was responsible for the design, administration, and management of the University of Maryland School of Nursings 28 clinical simulation laboratories. In this role, she collaborated with faculty on the integration of simulation into the nursing curriculum, and in doing so, helped prepare thousands of graduates to enter the field of nursing.

As a thoughtful participant in the plans for her legacy, Dr. Spunt created the Debra L. Spunt Clinical Simulation Practice and Research Endowment at the University of Maryland School of Nursing to support clinical simulation laboratory equipment.

Editors and reporters: For advance interview opportunities, or if you would like to attend the Spunt Lecture, please contact NLN chief communications officer Karen R. Klestzick at 212-812-0376, kklestzick@nln.org. During the week of the Education Summit, please contact Jane Calem Rosen, communications consultant to the NLN at 201-906-7339 or email janeruth@aol.com.

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education offering professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 35,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members.

Laerdal Medical, one of the worlds leading providers of health care solutions, is dedicated to helping save lives with products and services for simulation, airway management, immobilization, basic life support, advanced life support, patient care, self-directed learning, and medical education. Laerdal is pleased to serve all health care providers and educators, from the lay rescuer to the medical professional. For more information, visit www.laerdal.com.