Nursing conference brings nation's experts to Grand Forks National nursing experts will be in Grand Forks, ND, May 18-20 to take part in the Midwest Nurse Educator’s Academy. The event is being held at the Alerus Center. The conference, which brings together nurse educators from across the nation, aims to help educators develop faculty skills and provide education on the technology that is changing the face of nursing education - clinical simulation. Clinical simulation is quickly becoming a key educational tool in nursing programs across the country. Healthcare has progressed to the point where prevention of disease and serious illness is the focus. Very few patients stay in hospitals for an extended period of time and, as a result, the clinical experiences available to nursing students present few opportunities for care. Through the use of clinical simulation equipment, students have the opportunity to learn hands-on what it takes to work in an emergency situation, how to diagnose more effectively and ultimately to be better prepared for any critical situation they could face. These simulations help to make students more efficient in their approach to patient care. “We are very excited about this conference,” said Helen Melland, interim dean of nursing. “This conference is the first of its kind for North Dakota,” said Cheryl Stauffenecker, project coordinator. “LPNs to Ph.D. - prepared nurses have collaborated on the planning to offer enhanced learning opportunities for educators, as well as strengthening educator-to-educator partnerships.” All attendees will be given hands-on simulation opportunities and will learn how to incorporate this exciting new technology into their nursing curriculum. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues experiencing similar issues and to network with experts in the world of nursing academia. Keynote speakers include Pamela Jeffries, associate dean for academic affairs at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, who ‘wrote the book’ on clinical simulation in nursing and Christine Keenan, education coordinator at Washington Hospital Center in Arlington, VA, who is nationally known for her work with simulation education. “We are excited to be a part of this groundbreaking event,” shares Pat Traynor, president of Dakota Medical Foundation. “This event links directly with our mission to improve health and access to healthcare services. Nurse educators are coming together to learn new and more efficient ways of educating tomorrow’s workforce. The knowledge gained will have a direct impact on how new nurses will deliver healthcare.” Nearly 200 nurse educators from across the region have already registered for this stimulating conference. For further information or to register http://www.conted.und.edu/nurseeducator/ The conference is sponsored by the UND College of Nursing, the North Dakota Nursing Education Consortium, Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Dakota Medical Foundation. -- Becky Cournia, Alumni & Development Officer, College of Nursing, beckycournia@mail.und.edu, 777-4526