Susan Eileen Mihaljevic

Title : Use of objective structured clinical examinations (OSCES) For women’s health nurse practitioners and gender studies education

Abstract:

Many pregnancies are unplanned, and many women do not receive adequate pre-pregnancy counseling and prenatal care, thus leading to suboptimal perinatal and infant morbidity and mortality outcomes. As comorbidities related to Type II Diabetes and Hypertension continue to be prevalent among the population, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners play a critical role in proactive pre-pregnancy and perinatal care of women. Close follow-up during the post-partum period also plays as critical role in decreasing morbidity and mortality of both women and their newborn infants. As health care disparities are prevalent, standardized patient simulation provide the opportunity to expose students to women of various ethnicity, income level, education level, and gender preference, and equip them to identify individualized morbidity and mortality concerns.   High fidelity simulation education specific to the early recognition and intervention regarding perinatal birth complications followed by objective structured clinical examinations provides an avenue for both preparation and assessment of mastery related to these critical concepts.

Biography:

Dr. Mihaljevic studied nursing at Pennsylvania State University and obtained her BSN in 1986. In 1993 she obtained her MSN from the University of Pittsburgh and began working as a pediatric nurse practitioner within primary care settings.  In 2013 she became the Simulation Coordinator for Robert Morris University within a CMS grant and obtained a Certificate in Simulation in 2013, and Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2014 at the same institution. In 2015, she became faculty within the graduate programs at Carlow University and obtained her post-doctorate certification as a Women’s Health NP. Dr. Mihaljevic continues to teach within the FNP, WHNP, and Psych MH NP graduate programs at Carlow University and now serves as the Director of the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Program. Dr. Mihaljevic’s simulation content has been presented in several international simulation conferences as well as regional and local venues. She has also published her work related to Simulation and Women’s Health.