Contributors
Andrew, Todd
Keywords
public health, simulation, tool kit, community clinical
Description
This rural and community health simulation project emerged from a commitment to bridge the gap between available clinical experiences and immersive learning. By utilizing an Empathy Walk and simulated rural clinical environment, an experiential learning activity was designed. This open source was funded to allow all programs the ability to simulated rural healthcare challenges. The simulation can engage healthcare students in understanding the complexities of social determinants of health and the lived realities of vulnerable communities.
Abstract
Open source materials to immerse learners in rural and public health experiences are needed to ensure the new work force is equipped to care for a variety of people in differing circumstances. Public health remains a vital yet underemphasized component within healthcare education, specifically nursing education. This often limits opportunities for students to develop the skills necessary to become strong advocates for equity and systemic change. A
This project emerged from a commitment to provide experiential opportunities replicating the communities we serve. A Empathy Walk and LIFE Clinic (Díaz et al., 2025) was created as a strategy designed to engage healthcare students, with a focus on nurses, in the complexities of social determinants of health and the lived realities of vulnerable communities. An interprofessional immersive experience was created.
The high fidelity, high technology simulation allowed learners the opportunity to be fully immersed in a simulated environment. Programmatic evaluation utilized the SET-M Tool (Leighton et al., 2015). Initial evaluation supported the continued use of this initiative in promoting professionalism, deepening empathy, and preparing future healthcare providers for community-engaged practice. This work represents a step toward transforming nursing education, one that aligns with the national call to action to eliminate disparities and empower healthcare providers to be leaders in public health advocacy.
Identifiers
Public Health, Community Health, Simulation, Immersive learning
College
College of Nursing
Type
article
Rights
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
STARS Citation
Díaz, Desiree A.; Peralta, Heather; Stephenson, Samantha; Hernandez, Danny; Luzincourt, Geraldine; Spears, Syretta; Parker, Ann Marie; and Altamirano, Trysten, "Living In Fear: Be Empathetic (LIFE)-Tool Kit" (2025). Nursing Handouts, Tools, and Other Documents. 4.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/nursing-tools/4
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Family Practice Nursing Commons, Interprofessional Education Commons, Other Nursing Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons