• RNAO

• Nursing Innovation Grant

PhD from University of Toronto
MScN from Aga Khan University
BScN from Aga Khan University
certification on The Teaching in Higher Education Course from University of Toronto
certification on Blended Learning Course Development from Aga Khan University

This practice-based simulation enhances community health (CH) learning by supporting BScN Year 4 nursing students and other community health workers. It supports the identification of health needs among Indigenous populations, understanding the barriers to access care, and planning targeted health promotion initiatives. The simulation aligns with core competencies to improve culturally safe, equitable, and quality care.

A key component of CH is the ability to assess population health needs, recognize barriers to care, and implement targeted health promotion strategies. Brock University has recently implemented significant changes to its BScN curriculum, resulting in reduced opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning experiences in community settings. The practice-based simulation project addresses this gap by strengthening CH nursing competencies. Our project team brings extensive experience from both academic and public health settings. It is committed to preparing students and public health staff to understand the needs and challenges of Indigenous populations. Currently, there are limited structured opportunities to develop these skills. For instance, CAN-Sim offers only two CH simulations, primarily focused on anti-racism. Unlike other nursing specialties,CH lacks comprehensive simulation resources. This innovative initiative will support students, novice nurses, and public health staff in identifying the needs of Indigenous people

This innovation addresses a critical gap in experiential learning within the new BScN curriculum at Brock University and other similar organizations, where reduced clinical placements limit students’ opportunities to engage with diverse populations in CH settings. Traditional classroom instruction does not fully prepare students to assess population health needs, especially for communities facing systemic barriers, such as Indigenous populations. Moreover, current simulation tools such as those offered by CAN-Sim are limited in scope and do not sufficiently cover the competencies required for CH nursing. This innovation extends to student nurses, novice nurses, and public health staff, who may lack structured, practice-based resources to build and maintain skills, particularly when working with Indigenous communities. Practice-based simulation bridges this gap by offering realistic,case-based learning that focuses on assessing Indigenous community needs, identifying health disparities, and applying targeted health promotion strategies

This innovation will significantly enhance nursing students’ knowledge and skills by providing a practical, interactive learning tool that bridges the gap caused by limited clinical placements in CH settings. Nursing students will gain critical skills in assessing population health needs, understanding social determinants, and delivering culturally sensitive care, especially for Indigenous communities. By simulating real-world scenarios, students can practice and refine these competencies in a safe and controlled environment, thereby boosting their confidence and preparedness for clinical practice. For practicing public health staff and novice nurses, this tool offers ongoing professional development opportunities to maintain and update essential community health skills. Ultimately, the innovation fosters a workforce better equipped to identify health disparities and implement targeted health promotion strategies, improving the quality and equity of nursing care.The resource will be available as an open-access tool for students/nurses

The implementation of this practice-based simulation will follow a phased approach, beginning with content development and expert consultation. Dr. Connie Schumacher, an Indigenous faculty member at Brock University with expertise in community and Indigenous health, will support the development of culturally sensitive and population-relevant scenarios.
Once the simulation content is finalized, it will be submitted to the Brock University Undergraduate committee for approval to ensure supportive learning to Year 4 nursing students in developing key community health competencies.
The simulation will be piloted in year 4 “Community Health Nursing” course with staff from Bridges community center. The pilot phase will help identify any logistical or content-related issues and provide opportunities to collect feedback from students and public health professionals. Feedback will be used to refine the simulation and ensure it is engaging, accessible, and aligned with community health core competencies.
After successful piloting and revisions, the project team will present the simulation to the Dean of the BN/MN programs at Brock University. The goal is to embed this simulation into newly developed BN/MN program promoting a sustainable model for practice-based learning.
Once finalized, the simulation will be shared as an open-access resource. It will be hosted on a digital platform such as Google site or OER repository to ensure broad accessibility.
Finally, the outcomes of the simulation project including feedback, lessons learned, and impact on student learning will be presented at ‘Innovations & AI solutions: navigating the future of practice-based teaching & learning” conference organized by Mount Royal University every year. Findings will also be submitted for publication to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on simulation-based education in community health nursing.
This structured and collaborative implementation plan ensures that the simulation meets educational standards, addresses practice gaps, and supports both students and public health professionals in delivering culturally responsive, population-focused care

Co-investigators:
Dr. Rozina Somani,Curriculum Consultant- National Nursing Assessment Service ( NNAS)
​Shelley Oakes ​ BScN, RN, Nursing Lab Supervisor
Collaborative Partners:
Janet Madume, MBA, Executive Director, Welland Heritage Council & Multicultural Centre/Employment Solutions
Taralea McLean BA MEd, Executive Director, Bridges Community Health Centre