With a background as an operating room nurse, Elizabeth Horsley, RN, MS ’16 began a teaching career with a focus in simulation. After working in the simulation field for nearly ten years, Horsley was competent in her work but always felt pieces were missing in her knowledge base. She then stumbled upon an ad for Drexel University’s MS in Medical & Healthcare Simulation (MSMS), at first assuming it would not be possible for her to enroll until she realized the majority of the program in online. With only a minimal amount of travel required, she inquired for more information. Little did she know that ad would lead to a career-changing opportunity in simulation. The MSMS program is primarily online but does have three one-week sessions that are in person in Philadelphia, PA. Horsley, like many of the students in the first cohort, often talk about the end of their first practicum week. A Friday at 5 pm and no one was getting up to leave to go home, all of the students wanted to stay so they could continue learning even more. Horsley stated that those three weeks were among some of the best moments of her life.
After graduating the MSMS program, Horsley accepted a position as the Director of Simulation at the Brooklyn Hospital Center working primarily with medical residents. The interprofessional setting of the program allowed Horsley to grow out of her nursing career to become a leader in simulation. “Drexel gave me the tools and skills I need for my career; I constantly refer to references and resources from the program. The program led me to a job where I am doing the most meaningful work of my career” said Horsley.
Crediting the faculty to be the highlight of the program, Horsley stated that having a very prolific simulation researcher and author review her school work helped push her to the next level of healthcare education. “To be taught be the absolute gurus in the field was overwhelming in the best way. I learned so much, and continue to follow the work of the faculty” said Horsley.
