Jeffrey Owens, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC, Chief College Lab Technician at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing at Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), has been selected through a competitive application process for the National League for Nursing’s year-long Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators (Sim Leaders). It is one of two tracks in the NLN Leadership Institute, an initiative of the NLN Center for Transformational Leadership.
The simulation leadership development initiative is designed for the mid-career nurse educator who aspires to a leadership role in simulation. Sim Leadership track participants focus on maximizing their leadership potential to advance simulation initiatives in nursing education and practice.
The 2025 NLN Leadership Institute Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators includes a cohort of 20 simulation educators, chosen from colleges, universities and health care institutions. Those pursuing the Simulation Education Leadership track will study for a year under the direction of Kellie Bryant DNP, WHNP, CHSE, FSSH, FAAN, director of the NLN Center for Innovation in Education Excellence, and Raquel Bertiz, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE, senior manager with the center.
“As technology and artificial intelligence have become increasingly visible in all aspects of modern life, nursing education is no exception. It is vital that career educators in the use of simulation in nursing be prepared for leadership in this highly important area of nursing education and practice,” said NLN Chair Patricia Sharpnack, DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, ANEF, FAAN, Dean and Strawbridge Professor at the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions at Ursuline College in Ohio.
“Jeff’s participation in the NLN Simulation Leaders Program will further strengthen his leadership capabilities and connect him to an outstanding national network that will benefit our students, faculty, and School of Nursing,” said Ann Marie P. Mauro, Joan Hansen Grabe Dean and Professor.
Jeffrey Owens is a licensed psychiatric mental-health nurse practitioner and registered professional nurse. Mr. Owens leads Hunter’s innovative simulation initiatives for the groundbreaking Evelyn Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program, which is preparing nurse practitioners to advance health and health equity in New York City and beyond.
To expand the science of nursing education while developing their personal leadership portfolios, participants spend time engaged in varied activities that examine key issues related to simulation, then focus their efforts in an area of their choice.
The 2025 Leadership Institute held its first meeting as in-person orientation on February 10-11 in Washington, D.C. The Intensive Leadership Retreat is currently scheduled for June 22-25, also in Washington, D.C. The groups will later reconvene at the 2025 NLN Education Summit with the theme of The Challenge: Unraveling the Mysteries of AI on September 17-19 in Orlando, Florida.
Throughout the year, participants in the program will engage in comprehensive leadership development through webinars, private forums for the exchange of ideas and best practices in simulation, and activities focused on career advancement. They will develop strategic plans to evaluate and enhance their own simulation programs, review existing scholarly research, and develop a final project designed to advance the field of simulation. These projects will be showcased in the Simulation Innovation Resource Center (SIRC). Additionally, participants will have opportunities to attend professional conferences, fostering networking and professional growth.
“The National League for Nursing is proud to continue its support for the leadership development of simulation educators, as this specialized field takes on an ever-increasing role in the preparation of an outstanding, diverse nursing workforce that advances the health of our nation and global community,” said NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN.
For more information about the Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators, visit NLN.org.
