What can an online poverty simulation teach us about DEI?

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions that thread throughout humans’ environments and affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Therefore, it is appropriate that SDOH also thread throughout nursing education curricula, at both the entry and advanced levels. One comprehensive, regional, public university’s Online Nursing Program, consisting of RNBSN and MSN/FNP programs, offers exemplars for such curricular integration.

Descriptions of innovative methods of student engagement and assessment of student learning outcomes are included in required courses—such as Public Health and Population Health and Epidemiology—and in elective courses—such as Health Disparities, Global Health, and others. There is also an emphasis on the incorporation of best practices in online education to strengthen the diverse learning needs of students. Healthy People 2030 initiatives and current events as they impact health and health equity are also incorporated.

Leigh Ann Breckenridge
DNP, FNP-C, MSN, BSN
Assistant Clinical Professor
Virginia Commonweath University

Biography

Dr. Leigh Ann Breckenridge has been teaching nurses for over 30 years. She currently serves as faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University. She teaches in the DNP. FNP and RN-BSN programs. She received her BSN from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS., MSN from the University of Kentucky, Post-masters certificate from the University of Memphis and her DNP from the University of Alabama.

Her passions include trauma informed care/adverse childhood experiences and the use of motivational interviewing to promote healthy lifestyles. Her personal interests include outdoor activities, playing with her puppy and most of all spending time with her family-especially her 8-month-old granddaughter

Phone: 901-833-8755
Email: breckenril@vcu.edu