The dissertation defense is open and will be held both virtually and in-person.
This event has passed. The written dissertation or abstract is available by clicking the link below.
The PhD in Translational Health Sciences Program is proud to announce the Dissertation Defense of:
PhD Candidate: Amanda Nicklas, MSN, RN, CHSE
Assessing the Actors: A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Simulated Participant Evaluation in Nursing Education
Dissertation Committee Chair: Dale Lupu, PhD, MPH
May 11, 2026, 10:00 am ET
Abstract
Simulation in healthcare provides a safe, realistic environment for nursing students to practice patient care, often enhanced by trained actors called simulated participants (SPs). The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to understand how SPs are evaluated in simulation centers at nursing schools in the US. Findings showed that fewer than half of centers formally evaluate their SPs and those that do use a wide range of approaches, varying in formality, criteria and processes. Key facilitators included adequate resources, staffing, and systems-level support, while common barriers included limited time and staffing, limited support, and faculty and administrative knowledge deficits. These findings highlight the need to clearly define SP evaluation, establish standardized processes for simulation centers, and develop a validated tool to support SP evaluation practices.
