Associate Professor Carol Kostovich Awarded AACN Faculty Scholars Grant to Develop Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Toolkit for Simulation

Carol Kostovich, PhD, RN, CHSE, associate professor and assistant dean for innovative educational strategies and simulation at the Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing received an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Foundation for Academic Nursing Faculty Scholars Grant to develop, implement, and evaluate a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) toolkit designed specifically for use in simulation. The $25,000 grant is one of only two awarded in 2022.

Supporting DEI in nursing

 “In our simulation program, we have integrated some DEI topics and concepts, and included some diverse patients," says Kostovich. “But we felt there was an opportunity to expand upon our initial efforts, and we needed a more structured approach to do so.”

Kostovich will create that structured approach to DEI working with a team from the School of Nursing, including Jorgia Connor, PhD, RN; Dian Squire, PhD; Joanne Dunderdale, DNP, MSN, RN; and Nancy-Raschke-Deischstetter, MS, RN, CEN, CHSE. They will develop a framework, tools, and resources to be used in simulation to teach DEI content focused on population health, cultural awareness and humility while mitigating implicit bias.

“Evaluation will be a component of the toolkit as well,” says Kostovich. “We will be exploring the impact of the toolkit on students’ perceived cultural sensitivity and awareness.”

Simulation learning experiences allow students to practice nursing care in a safe environment without the concern of harming a patient. Students feel comfortable participating, speaking up and asking for help without the fear of embarrassment, as mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.  The toolkit will assist faculty in designing simulated experiences that will allow students to care for diverse populations over the course of their academic program. Ultimately, Kostovich would like to make the toolkit available for use by educators from other organizations.

Learn more about the AACN Faculty Scholars Grant.