ESU Backup Insider

Marcia L. Gasper, Ed.D., associate professor of nursing at East Stroudsburg University, became a certified health care simulation educator on April 25. The certification was awarded by The Society for Simulation in Health Care, a non-profit organization established in 2004 to develop simulation in health care.

This certification, an international recognition, demonstrates quality to consumers and industries. In addition to meeting the standards that had been set through a peer-developed process, Dr. Gasper met the experiential requirements and passed a standardized exam to earn this distinction. To maintain these credentials, she must meet continuing education expectations.

Dr. Gasper’s certification is a reflection of the growing nursing program at East Stroudsburg University. According to Dr. Gasper, this distinction was a step towards integration simulation into the curriculum.

“In a recent curriculum revision, we added four simulation courses to our program,” she said.

She also expressed that her certification will benefit her students and reflect well on the nursing program.

“The certification helps me develop and facilitate high quality simulation learning experiences for our nursing students,” she said. “It helps me to pursue a leadership role in simulation in health care education.”

The nursing department at East Stroudsburg University offers a four-year bachelor’s degree program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and fully approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. With strong clinical partners such as Pocono Medical Center, the nursing department has developed through the Dedicated Educational Unit, a clinical setting that becomes a teaching and learning experience through the combined efforts of nurses and other health care workers, management, faculty, and students.