Bethany Cieslowski, DNP

Bethany Cieslowski is the Simulation Coordinator for the George Mason University School of Nursing. She earned her BSN from the University of Virginia, MA from Columbia University’s Department of Biomedical (Nursing) Informatics and DNP at the Duke University School of Nursing. 

She came to Mason with several years of experience and training in simulation and debrief.  Prior to coming to Mason, Bethany was the associate dean of undergraduate programs at a local university and led the program through the pandemic. She transitioned students and faculty to completely online clinical experiences using high-quality simulation practices. Prior to that, Bethany worked as a full-time faculty member in the Clinical Simulation Learning Center at the University of Virginia. She’s facilitated and debriefed BSNs, RNs to BSNs, APRNs and interprofessional simulation experiences. She received the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) certification in 2017 and focused on using simulation and technology as effective strategies to educate the nursing workforce of the future.

In April 2016, she attended the Comprehensive Instructor Workshop at the Harvard Center for Medical Simulation in Boston. The training focused on the evidence-based, theory-driven approach debriefing with good judgment and the elements of a safe learning environment. Cieslowski integrates the concepts of a “safe container” into all learning experiences both in the classroom and the simulation lab. This approach enables students to experience learning to its fullest potential. In May of 2019, she attended the Advanced Debriefing Course at the Center for Medical Simulation, allowing her to take her debriefing skills to the next level for learners and faculty.

Cieslowski has collaborated on several innovative simulation research projects. Most recently, she integrated training for virtual health visits using telehealth technology into the BSN and MSN curriculum using the TytoCare platform, eBook instruction and simulation/debrief techniques supported by the Institute for Technology in Health Care (ITHC) grant. In August of 2018, she collaborated with colleagues to integrate two passions, simulation and informatics, to promote safe medication administration by nursing students. In January of 2019, Cieslowski worked with colleagues and integrated TeamSTEPPS^TM and high-fidelity simulation to teach leadership to adult geriatric acute care nurse practitioners. The project included an intraprofessional component using undergraduate students as “followers” and was supported by grant funds to incorporate respiratory therapy to provide students an interprofessional education experience.

Cieslowski is currently a INACSL Research Fellow focusing her work on prebriefing the VR/AR simulation space. She considers herself an innovator and a disruptor - slowly pushing the walls of nursing to build a better future.