Why I Started CNA Simulations
CNA Simulations represents the culmination of my experiences as a physician, academic, entrepreneur, and advocate for economic opportunity.
-Charlene Brown MD, MPH
Founder, CNA Simulations
As a medical student, I learned how to deliver care in hospitals, clinics, and homeless shelters. I learned by doing. When I taught students and residents, I watched them transform as they learned how to respond to patients. When I spoke with my friend Jennifer, a nurse educator and friend, I learned that CNAs couldn’t do their clinical rotations because of the pandemic. I wanted to help as an entrepreneur.
Nursing homes closed their doors to students
It makes sense that nursing homes have closed their doors to CNA student rotations; they've been hit hard by COVID-19. But, on-site clinical experiences matter because students typically translate the skills they acquire during the didactic portion of their training into competence by applying them to real-world situations in the nursing home. That’s why the loss of clinical rotations as part of nursing assistant training is devastating for CNA education and the quality of care they deliver to older adults. Without an evidence-based alternative to on-site clinical experiences, these essential frontline workers won’t be able to build the competence, confidence, and compassion that they need to provide high-quality care to older adults.
So, I founded a company
That’s why I’m the Founder of CNA Simulations. I started the company to reimagine how CNAs can still attain the clinical competencies they need to perform their duties safely while meeting requirements for licensure despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer became an advisor, and we joined forces with other nurse educators, technologists, and instructional designers. We are building the first-ever virtual clinical simulation training platform for CNA student education.
Introducing research-based learning interventions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a unique opportunity to introduce clinical simulations based on research and evidence to make a real, immediate impact on student learning. Some efforts to find virtual solutions during the lockdown were problematic, and others were creative. More importantly, standardized, virtual clinical simulation and instruction are needed to help students to meet the regulatory requirements for the CNA license; our clinical simulation training platform will provide this solution.
Health professional students learn best by doing
Through clinical simulations, students learn best by doing. In our 3D simulations, students enter each self-directed simulation as themself. The student then enters scenarios with various decision-making sequences and branches. They incorporate simulation of core competencies like measuring manual blood pressure and using assistive equipment like a gait belt for ambulation within the storyline. They will build CNA competencies through repetition, reflection, and reinforcement while gaining confidence, empathy, and compassion for those more vulnerable. Our simulations will work on tools that students already use and include benchmarks like debriefings and pre/post-tests. Ultimately, CNA Simulations will have utility far behind the pandemic, which may be here to stay.
To our knowledge, CNA Simulations is building the first series of virtual clinical simulations specifically for nursing assistant student education. We are improving students’ technical skills and clinical know-how through our suite of customized, interactive, web-based clinical simulations to support nursing assistant clinical training throughout the United States.
No special equipment needed
Our first virtual simulations will be designed for flatscreens (e.g., tablets, laptops, no headsets needed). Later versions will be immersive if that’s what CNA training programs want and need. In other words, CNA Simulations is a pandemic alternative and post-pandemic adjunct to clinical rotations.
Join us as our team transforms CNA education, incorporating the advanced learning tools that help this essential frontline workforce to learn by doing, even during the worst pandemic of our lifetimes.
See CNA Simulations in action
And to stay up to date on all things CNA Simulations, don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list, which has information about webinars like this one. Or, if you’re a CNA instructor, schedule a demo for a personalized tour of CNA Simulations.
