Background: The nursing shortage is serious and getting worse in medically underserved areas. Nursing education needs to include faculty education in simulation-based education that focuses on public health and cultural education. New nurse graduates are inadequately prepared and need additional training to provide culturally appropriate care to varied and rural populations.
Method: This project used simulation-based education and rural clinical placements to enhance the training and education needs of faculty, students and community partners to better address the health care needs of people living in rural and medically underserved areas of the Navajo Nation and northern Arizona.
Results: The project increased knowledge and interest among faculty and community partners on simulation-based education as well as positive student learning experiences.
Conclusion: Public health and culture can be integrated into simulation-based education. Partnerships with tribal communities can play a valuable role in nursing education.
Keywords: American Indian; Cultural competency; Partnerships; Public health; Rural; Simulation training.