The University of Wyoming recognized Erin Dobyns, assistant coordinator of the school
of nursing Clinical Simulation Center, for her excellence in job performance at the
spring 2014 Staff Awards Day. The following text includes excerpts from the nominations
submitted in support of Dobyns for the award:
The Staff Incentive Award is based on three criteria: the nominee's quality of work; their initiative and desire for improving work methods and working conditions; and their impact on campus.
Erin Dobyns has held the position of assistant coordinator of the Clinical Simulation Center at the school of nursing since 2010. The use of simulation in nursing education to facilitate critical thinking and skills development has become standard across the country. The nursing department at UW has a state-of-the-art simulation center with a wide variety of simulation equipment. One nominator says, “Until Dobyns joined the Clinical Simulation Center (CSC), it was challenging for faculty to take full advantage of the CSC and the simulation equipment. But with Dobyns’ behind-the-scenes quality support, simulation is now integrated into all of the clinical courses in the on-campus BSN program. She maintains the equipment, trains faculty to use the equipment, and supports faculty while they provide simulation experiences to their students. As you can see, the scope of her work is extensive, and yet the quality of the outcome is very impressive.”
Regarding the quality customer service of Dobyns’ work with students, the dean of the school of nursing notes, “Not only does Dobyns support our faculty, but she also benefits our students immensely. The use of simulation has really strengthened the students’ experiences, and ultimately provides them with a strong foundation as they enter practice as health professionals, given the focus on critical thinking and skills development. Dobyns also instills in the students a sense of professionalism, reinforcing key behaviors as they work in the CSC. Her work has even been recognized by a UW Student Association [RSO].” (The nominee was recently presented with the “Most Helpful Faculty Award,” even though Dobyns is not technically a faculty member.)
One nominator says, “Upon beginning her job with the Clinical Simulation Center, Dobyns immediately started coming up with ideas to enable smooth and efficient teaching of skills to students in all programs. One of the greatest ideas was when she asked the school's business manager if she could get an iPad® for her office. With it she took a picture of each skill equipment layout so that anyone who may come into her position at a later date can lay out the equipment with the precision needed. Her student helpers are able to do that by following her great documentation. Not only that, but Dobyns catalogued what each faculty member requested and what time of year so that she can go back to those requests and be prepared the following year, not having to rely on her memory or that of the faculty member. Her organization is invaluable in that she makes the faculty, the school and the university look awesome because of her organization.”
"Dobyns also has learned how to work the computer equipment for the CSC’s high-fidelity manikins," says yet another nominator. "She is just as capable as the school’s faculty members in performing simulations with the equipment. She has even done so at university events such as UW Discovery Days and the UW Showcase Saturday events, greatly enhancing the department, division, and university with her expertise. Visitors leave amazed with the learning possibilities in the Simulation Center." A student who works under Dobyns adds, “She creates that first impression of the department for students who are trying to choose where they will eventually go to school.”
2014