Adapting the Use of Mask Ed™ Simulation in Nursing Programmes During the COVID- 19 Pandemic.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic toppled education delivery worldwide. Nursing education was no exception. The pandemic required nurse educators to quickly shift from face-to-face learning environments to remote and more virtual interactions. Educators were compelled to create and employ strategies to support nursing learners as they assimilated critical and complex knowledge, and skills from their homes, instead of classrooms and simulation laboratories. One modality of simulation which maintained engagement and connection with learners in the online environment was Mask-Ed™ Simulation. This paper presents a snapshot of Mask-Ed™ simulation activities across four higher education institutions globally during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mask-Ed™: Let's Get Real With Simulation.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing shortage of clinical placement sites, nurse educators must be creative in providing alternative learning modalities that prepare students for nursing practice. Mask-Ed™ simulation may help address this challenge. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe junior-year undergraduate nursing students' experiences with Mask-Ed™ simulation in the context of caring for older adults. METHODS: Using a qualitative descriptive design, focus groups were conducted with 18 students who experienced Mask-Ed™ during 1 semester. RESULTS: Six themes emerged: (1) seeing the older adult as a person, not just a patient; (2) seeing the older adult in a new light; (3) authenticity of the experience and realistic scenarios; (4) ability to give myself to it; (5) safe space to practice; and (6) dress rehearsal for the RN role. CONCLUSIONS: Mask-Ed™ changed participants' perceptions of older adults and their consideration of pursuing a nursing career with this patient population. Participants also expressed Mask-Ed™ was a safe and authentic simulation to help prepare for nursing practice.

Improving Nursing Student Attitudes Toward Older Adults Through the Use of Mask-Ed™ Simulation.

Older adults are significant consumers of health care, yet studies find many health care students do not want to work with this population. This negative attitude can impact health outcomes. Increased exposure to older adults is linked to increased positive attitudes toward older adult care. Addressing the need for increased opportunities to interact with older adults will likely enhance these attitudes and thus improve health outcomes. In the current study, four varied Mask-Ed™ simulation activities were used in a course with a specific focus on nursing care of older adults. The Mask-Ed™ character, an older adult woman, works with students and provides opportunities for positive interactions/experiences. Students responded positively to simulation activities. Students described the experiences as helpful in increasing their confidence and comfort level with older adults. This unique experience fostered positive attitudes toward older adults among nursing students by giving them the opportunity to practice engaging with this population. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(12), 43-47.].