Clinical Simulation Educator · Bend, OR · Open to new roles

Simulation education that sticks (QA edit)

I'm Dana Whitfield. For 12 years I've led nursing education initiatives, building simulation programs from the ground up and raising licensure pass rates through structured remediation and faculty development.

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12Years in nursing education
4Learners trained
94Course satisfaction
+23 ptsNCLEX pass rate increase
About

Nursing education leader with a focus on simulation design.

I specialize in clinical simulation, curriculum design, and faculty development. My approach centers on creating psychologically safe learning environments where students can bridge the gap between theory and practice through high-fidelity scenarios and structured debriefing.

Simulation Design

Expertise in writing and running high-fidelity scenarios for medical-surgical, pediatric, and obstetric courses.

Faculty Development

Proven track record in training faculty in debriefing frameworks like PEARLS to ensure educational quality.

Curriculum Innovation

Designing initiatives like Night Shift Lab and Pharmacology Escape Rooms to engage modern learners.

Relevant Career Achievements

Strategic educational initiatives.

Key projects focused on improving licensure pass rates, operational efficiency, and clinical judgment.

Cascade College of Nursing

NCLEX Pass Rate Improvement

Solution
Developed and implemented a structured remediation pathway for prelicensure nursing students.
Impact94%First-time NCLEX pass rate, up from 71%
Was 71%Now 94%
Cascade College of Nursing

Simulation Lab Optimization

Challenge
The simulation center faced 45 scheduling conflicts per semester, hindering educational delivery.
Solution
Introduced a shared booking system and streamlined management protocols for the simulation center.
Impact−80%Reduction in scheduling conflicts
45 conflicts9 conflicts
Cascade College of Nursing

Simulation Curriculum Design

Challenge
Need for diverse, high-fidelity clinical scenarios to bridge the gap to professional practice.
Solution
Designed and launched Night Shift Lab, Code Blue Drills, Bedside Handoff Studio, and a Pharmacology Escape Room.
ImpactNewCurriculum initiatives launched
InitiatedLaunched
Cascade College of Nursing

Mobile Sim Lab Rollout

Solution
Led the rollout of a mobile simulation lab to three rural clinics.
Impact120Nurses trained in the first quarter
Target met120 trained
Professional Development

Certifications & Training.

Credentials

  • Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE), Society for Simulation in Healthcare2020
  • Teaching with Simulation Certificate, National League for Nursing2019
  • Trauma Nursing Core Course, Emergency Nurses Association2016
Experience

Professional Experience.

2022 – Present

DIRECTOR OF SIMULATION EDUCATION

CASCADE COLLEGE OF NURSING · Central Oregon

Cascade College of Nursing exists to prepare compassionate nurses for rural communities in Central Oregon.

2018 – 2021

SIMULATION NURSE EDUCATOR

CASCADE COLLEGE OF NURSING · Central Oregon

Cascade College of Nursing exists to prepare compassionate nurses for rural communities in Central Oregon.

  • Write and run high-fidelity scenarios for medical-surgical, pediatric, and obstetric courses
  • Train 35 adjunct faculty in the PEARLS debriefing framework
  • Manage a simulation center with 6 high-fidelity manikins and 2 standardized patient rooms
  • Recipient of the Golden Lamp Teaching Award and the Rural Health Champion Award
2014 – 2017

CLINICAL NURSE EDUCATOR, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

HIGH DESERT MEDICAL CENTER · Deschutes County

A 220-bed regional hospital serving Deschutes County.

  • Coordinated orientation for 60 new graduate nurses
  • Built a triage competency checklist adopted by three hospital units
2011 – 2013

COMMUNITY HEALTH VOLUNTEER

PEACE CORPS – MALAWI

Volunteer health educator placement with the Ministry of Health.

  • Taught maternal health classes in Chichewa in Zomba District
  • Organized a malaria prevention week for four villages
Academic History

Research & Publications.

Dissertation: Debriefing depth and clinical judgment in prelicensure nursing students

ScholarArchive at OHSU

Publication: Night Shift Simulation as a Bridge to Practice

Published in Clinical Simulation in Nursing
  • Presented at the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning Conference
Conference Presentations

Speaking Engagements.

INACSL Annual Conference Oregon Nurses Association Spring Summit Western Institute of Nursing Research Conference
Current Committees

Service & Leadership.

Curriculum Committee Simulation Advisory Board Faculty Senate
Technical Skills

Tools & Platforms.

Simulation Platforms

Laerdal SimManCAE ApolloSimCapture

Learning Management

CanvasATIKaplan

Productivity

ExcelPowerPointTeamsZoom
Languages

Communication.

English

Native

Chichewa

Conversational

Spanish

Basic

Volunteer Work

Community Service.

2019 – Present

Deschutes County Medical Reserve Corps

  • disaster response nurse
Contact

Let's talk about nursing education.

Looking for a simulation leader or curriculum expert? Send a note and I'll get back to you.

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