Leading regional nursing simulation technology developed at Charles Sturt

First published by Charles Sturt University

• Charles Sturt University has developed an electronic medical record simulation system, HealthiERSim®, to enhance student learning in Port Macquarie
• The technology is leading Australia in this space, which gives nursing students real-world experience by simulating technology they will use in clinical wards
• Approximately 3,000 students have experienced the technology across Charles Sturt’s main campuses
• HealthiERSim® allows students to develop skills in real-life clinical documentation processes from a classroom setting

A first in regional Australia, cutting-edge simulation technology is giving Charles Sturt University nursing students the edge on real-world experience from the comfort of their classroom.

HealthiERSim® is an innovative simulated electronic health records system which enhances students' health digital literacy by providing a risk-free virtual environment to practise using digital healthcare tools and electronic documentation processes.

Associate Professor of Nursing and Simulation Lead in the Charles Sturt School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences Pauletta Irwin said realistic patient scenarios and simulated digital workflows provide essential skills to confidently navigate and utilise digital health technologies beyond graduation.

“This technology prepares all our students for effective collaboration and patient-centred care in their future nursing roles,” Associate Professor Irwin said.

Simulation co-developer and technical officer in the Faculty of Science and Health Ms Amy Barnett added that the technology is unique to Charles Sturt, whose design is leading the nation in this space.

“Internationally, this technology is rapidly advancing but we have what is considered best on market in Australia and competitors are nipping at our heels to catch up,” Ms Barnett said.

In the most recent teaching session, approximately 3,000 students were able to put the HealthiERSim® system to the test.

Second-year Bachelor of Nursing student in Port Macquarie Ms Eloise Miller is one of those students and said she found the technology increased her confidence in her ability to document patient information electronically.

"HealthiERSim is a really useful way to practise documenting as a nurse as it is a great reflection of actual Electronic Medical Records (EMR) with tabs that allow us to document observations, progress notes and the like,” Ms Miller said.

“It is so useful to move away from paper charts in our pracs to documenting online, as this is more of what we will be encouraged to use in the real world when we graduate.

“As a second-year student, it is a great relief to be able to practise this skill now.”

Associate Professor Irwin reiterated that HealthiERSim® allows students to learn using realistic patient cases, spanning diverse healthcare contexts.

“The aim of this is to really prepare our students for the workforce by giving them exposure to scenarios they may, and likely will, encounter in their future nursing roles while developing critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills,” she said.

The technology is being used at Charles Sturt’s Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst and Dubbo campuses.