Headshot of Nita Skillman

Nita Skillman

Director of Interprofessional Simulation

Department: School of Health Sciences

Office and address: Gerald L. Francis Center, Office 229A 2085 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Phone number: (336) 278-6858

Brief Biography

Dr. Nita Skillman joined the Elon’s School of Health Sciences staff in August 2012, and her role has expanded over the years. Currently, as the Director of the Interprofessional Simulation Center, she is responsible for all things simulation-related. She enjoys providing opportunities for the students to practice hands-on medical skills in a safe learning environment and preparing them for clinical rotations. Dr. Skillman’s research interests include learners' satisfaction in simulation, advancing SP methodology, and professional development for simulationists.  

News & Notes

Education

Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a Concentration in Organizational Leadership

     Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. March 2024

MBA, Masters Administration with Concentration in Human Resources   

     Elon University, Elon, NC. 2017

BSBA, Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance                

     East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. June 2010

Employment History

 

 

Leadership Positions

Spring 2025 to Spring 2026 Mid-Level Professional Co-Coordinator

Spring 2023 to Spring 2025 Mid-Level Professional Facilitator

Spring 2021 & Fall 2021 Nursing Faculty Search Committee Chair

Fall 2020 Search Committee for Nursing Director/Chair

Fall 2019 Search Committee for PA Clinical Education Staff Member

Fall 2019 & Fall 2020 Search Committee for PA Director/Chair

Fall 2019 Nursing Task Force

Grants Awarded

Neiduski R., Morris T., Murfin M., and Skillman J. $100,000. Golden LEAF Foundation Grant.

Stokes K, Laosebikan-Buggs L, DiBiasio P, Skillman J, and Morris T $1000.  Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning grant funding of the Diversity and Inclusion Grant.

Hargrove-Leak S, Dibiasio P, Skillman J, $460. Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning grant funding of the Infusing Humanity into Engineering Design.

Quincy, B, Tonsor T, Dibiasio P, Johansson C, Skillman J, $4659.30. Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning grant funding of the iPad Project.

Publications

Skillman J., (2024). Physician Assistant Students’ Attitudes Toward Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning of Summative Standardized Patient Simulations in Relationship to Their Prior Healthcare Experience Hours and the Number of Formative Assessments: A Quantitative Predictive Correlational Study. Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5283. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5283

Presentations

Skillman J., and Fearnow B. R. Safe to Fail: Rethinking Simulation Through the Lens of Psychological Safety. Presented at the 25th International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH 2026), January 2026, San Antonia, Texas.

Skillman N., and Fearnow B. Lights, Camera, Practice: Crafting Engaging Training Videos for SPs. Presented at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, June 2025, Montreal, Quebec, CA.

Skillman J. and Fearnow B. Simulationist Onboarding: Building a Foundation with Retention I Mind. Presented at the 24th International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH 2025), January 2025, Orlando, Florida.

Skillman N., Fearnow B., Daily R. Utilizing Peer-to-Peer Debriefing for Next-Level Clinical Preparation. Presented at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, June 2024, Vancouver, British Columbia, CA.

Skillman J. and Fearnow B. Simulation Encounters Advancing Through a Two-Way Mirror. Presented at the 23rd International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH 2023), January 2024, San Diego, California.

Morris T., Skillman N., Fearnow B. A Professional Development Workshop Utilizing Multiple Simulation Modalities to Improve Nursing Practice in Cardiac Care. Presented at the 17th Annual SENSES Conference, October 2023, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.

Skillman N. Advancing Research of Simulation Pedagogy. Presented at HPSN, October 2023, High Point, North Carolina.

Skillman N., Morris T., & Fearnow B. It is a Matter of the Heart: Experiential Learning through Multiple Simulation Modalities. Presented at Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, June 2023, Portland, Oregon.

Skillman J. Fearnow B, Fisher T, McQueen J. Advancing Simulation Practices. Online Conference Hosted by Elon University, June 2023, Elon, North Carolina.

Skillman J. and James D. Physician Assistant Clinical Reasoning OSCE's with Rapid Response. Presented at the 23rd International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH 2023), January 2023, Orlando, Florida.

Kussman C., Fearnow B., and Skillman J., Measuring Nursing Competencies Using an Escape Room. Presented at the 13th Annual Beyond the Manikin: Best Practices in Simulation Education Conference, March 2023, Cary, North Carolina.

Skillman J., Bookmarks of Simulation: Why Pre-briefing and Debriefing are Important. Presented at the HPSN Conference, November 2022, Elon, North Carolina.

Skillman J., Interactive Simulations in Cardiac Assessment. Presented at the Cardiac Assessment-It’s a Matter of the Heart: Engaged Learning to Optimize Nursing Outcomes Conference, October 2022, Elon, North Carolina.

Stokes C., Morris T., DiBiasio P., Skillman J., and Laosebikan-Buggs, M., Uncovered: A co-curricular strategy establishing foundational values for interprofessional education. Presented at Nexus Summit 2022, September 2022, Minneapolis, Maryland.

Skillman J. and Murfin M., Using Standardized Patients in a Formative Assessment of Patient Centered Communication Skills. Presented at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, June 2022, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Skillman J., Peer Lead Observation and Debriefing of Simulation. Presented at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, June 2021, Virtual Conference.

Skillman J. and Bennett, C., Experiential Learning in Communication with Transgender Patients Using SPs. Presented at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, June 2020, Portland, Oregon- Moved online to August 2020

Murfin M. and Skillman J. A Novel Approach to Standardized Patient Experience Assessment: How the Development of a Specifically-Trained, Alumni Grader Pool Impacts Learner Assessment in Standardized Patient Simulation Experiences.  Presented at the 20th International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare, January 20, 2020, San Diego, California.

Johansson C. and Skillman J. Comparing Perceived Outcomes Across Disciplines Following an IPE Event. Presented at the 8th Annual Cone Health/AHEC Research, Evidence Based Practice, and Quality Improvement Symposium, November 22, 2019, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Skillman J. and Johansson C.   “Standardized Patients an Effective Addition to Lecture and Role Play in Teaching Dementia Care Skills? Presented at the 8th Annual Cone Health/AHEC Research, Evidence Based Practice, and Quality Improvement Symposium, November 22, 2019, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Bennett, C., Skillman J. and McDonald, H.  It Takes a Village: Creating Cultural Competence in Transgender Health Care Curricula. PAEA Education Forum, October 2019, Washington DC.

Skillman J.  ASPE Members Benefit Presentation. Presented at 2019 Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, June 7-11, 2019, Orlando, Florida.

Skillman J. and Jackson, R.  Standardized Patients Role in Multiple Mini Interviews Simulation. Presented at 2019 Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, June 7-11, 2019, Orlando, Florida.

Bennett, C., Skillman J. and McDonald, H. Training Students to Practice Transgender Medicine: The Application of Flow Theory and Standardized Patients in Medical Education. Presented at the NCAPA Winter Conference, February 2019, Durham North Carolina.

Skillman J.  Simulation Has Moved Beyond Medical Schools and Into Other Disciplines. Presented at the 15th Annual Elon Teaching and Learning Conference, August 16, 2018, Elon, North Carolina.

Skillman J, Thurnes, T. and Johansson C. Creating a 360° Review to Evaluate Program Effectiveness.  Presented at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators Annual Conference, June 19, 2018, Kansas City, Missouri.

Attorri A, Bailey S, and Skillman J.  Acute Care in the Classroom: Designing Realistic and effective Teaching Tools Throughout the Curriculum.  Presented at the NCPTA Fall Conference, October 12, 2017, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Skillman J, and Johansson C. Advanced Training of Standardized Patients for Dementia Cases. Presented at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators Annual Conference, June 7, 2017, Alexandria, Virginia.

Skillman J, and Herbert W. The Standardized Patient Role in Remediation. Poster presented at the 2017 Association of Standardized Patient Educators Annual Conference, June 4-7, 2017, Alexandria, Virginia.

Johansson C, Skillman J, and McKay, M. Use of Standardized Patients to Teach Dementia Care.  Poster presented at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2016, Anaheim, California.

Skillman J, and Branford K. Creation of Local SP Consortium Extends ASPE Effectiveness. Poster presented at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, June 14-17, 2015, Denver, Colorado.

Branford, K, and Skillman J. The Other Simulation: Using Standardized Patients in Healthcare Education.  Presented at the 6th Annual You Bought the Manikin Now What? Best Practices in Advanced Simulation Conference, March 26, 2015, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Johansson C, and Skillman J. Standardized Patient Integration Into a Physical Therapy Program.  Presented at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Annual Conference, June 24, 2014, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Johansson C, Bailey SP, and Skillman J. Using Standardized Patients within Physical Therapy Education.  Presented at the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association Fall Conference and Chapter Meeting, October 10, 2013, Asheville, NC.

Professional Activities

Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE)

          Membership Committee

The Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH)

International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL)

Service Activities

2020-Present SHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fac/Staff Committee Chair

2019- Present President’s Advisory Council on Inclusive Excellence

Skills

North Carolina Notary Public           

CHSE (Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator) with the Society for Simulation in Healthcare

Awards

Emerging Leader Award, Association of Standardized Patient Educators. 2017

Excellence in Service Award, Elon University School of Health Sciences.  2013-2014.