Dr. DeLisa Flynn
<b>Department: </b>School of Nursing<br><b>Research Area: </b>My research focused on active learning strategies across clinical and simulation settings.
Department: School of Nursing
Research Focus: Active learning strategies across clinical and simulation settings.
Potential Student Project(s):
This project will examine how nursing students reflect on death and dying after participating in a virtual reality (VR) end-of-life simulation. Students will complete a realistic VR simulation, as an observer or participant, focused on communication, comfort care, and supporting a patient and family at the end of life. Quantitative data will be collected through post simulation surveys measuring students’ confidence, comfort, and attitudes toward death and dying. Qualitative data will be gathered through written reflections or interviews describing students’ emotional responses, experiences, and learning. The findings will help identify how VR simulation-based education influences nursing students’ preparedness and understanding of end-of-life care.
Attributes/skills/background sought in undergraduate:
Undergraduate students should demonstrate professionalism, empathy, communication skills, and an interest in nursing and end-of-life care. Students should be willing to participate in a virtual reality simulation, reflect honestly on their experiences, and contribute thoughtful quantitative and qualitative data to support the research project.
Mentoring Plan:
The student researcher will work 5 h/week on the project including a 1-on-1 interaction with me for at least 1 hour/week. Mentoring will include guidance on the research process, virtual reality simulation activities, data collection, and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative findings. I will provide instruction on ethical research practices, participant confidentiality, and appropriate handling of research data. The student will receive support in developing survey and reflection tools, organizing data, identifying themes, and interpreting results. Regular meetings will provide opportunities to discuss progress, address questions, and develop research skills. The student will also learn how to communicate research findings through written summaries and presentations. By the end of the project, the student will have gained practical experience in nursing research, qualitative and quantitative methods, and understanding student perspectives on death and dying
Contact: 765-285-7845, HB 488