Michelle L. Aebersold
Michelle L. Aebersold, PhD, RN
University of Michigan School of Nursing
400 North Ingalls Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482
Scholarly Expertise / Activity
Interests:
- Simulation
- Virtual reality training
- Nursing work environments
- Patient safety
Dr. Aebersold has twenty years of nursing management experience in an acute and intensive care setting which gives her a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by nursing staff in the work environment. In addition and conjunction with this expertise, she has a background in simulation using high-fidelity simulators and virtual reality simulation using Second Life in both education and research. Knowing the potential of these programs for training purposes, she has led the effort to develop a comprehensive simulation program for use in the undergraduate curriculum. Her own research focuses on the area of patient safety and nursing rescue behaviors using simulation techniques.
Current Research Grants and Programs:
- CRLT Grant ($10,000) - “Increasing Clinical Competencies for Nursing Students using Simulated Virtual Experiences in Second Life,” Co-PI
- Whitaker Grant ($9000) - “Redesigning Clinical Skill Training through Technology,” Co-PI
- CRLT-TTI ($2500) - “Increasing Student Engagement through the Use of a Virtual Classroom,” Co-PI
Teaching
In addition to using her expertise of simulation in education to give presentations locally and nationally, Dr. Aebersold is an instructor at both the graduate and undergraduate level, teaching subjects such as leadership/management and quality/operations. As lead faculty for the Clinical Learning Center, she oversees the simulation program and the fundamentals skills and assessment labs, working with students in all areas of the program including students completing their master’s projects and dissertations. Drawing on a belief in integrative pedagogy, her classes rely extensively on the use of case studies and simulations as learning tools. She works closely with nurses in direct patient care to help them improve skills through simulation scenarios.
Affiliations / Service
- Member, Society for Simulation in Health Care, 2006-present
- Member, International Nursing Association for Clinical Nursing Association, 2009-present
Education
- PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 2008
- MSBA, Madonna University, Livonia, MI, 1991
- BSN, Madonna University, Livonia, MI, 1985
