The College of Health is excited to announce the hiring of Dani Ely as the Director for Nursing Simulation & Information Technology Center (NSITC). This position has a critical role in coordinating the simulation activities which are a foundation in not only nursing but in other majors within the College of Health.
She is a Ball State Alumna, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree earned in 2011 and  Master of Science in Nursing Education earned from University of Indianapolis in 2016.
Prior to this position, she worked for Indiana University Health for 15 years, beginning as a volunteer and developing up through various roles; student nurse technician; bedside RN, preceptor, & charge nurse in med-surg and critical care; Nurse Educator for Nurse Residency Program; Clinical Operations Manager of a med-surg nursing unit; Regional Director of Nursing Practice/Nursing Professional Development.

Dani says of applying for the position in the first place, “This position seemed a natural fit, as I always hoped to return to campus to support emerging nurses. I have been inspired and encouraged by nurses in one way or another since my childhood and feel a calling to continue to give back to the nursing profession. I am grateful for this opportunity to not only impact nursing, but other healthcare disciplines as well.” Simulation is not only a benefit to Nursing students, but is utilized in multiple disciplines within the College, as well as, a few classes you wouldn’t necessarily think of, such as Medical Spanish Course.

Ball State students benefit from learning from a well-rounded individual who can create impactful simulation activities on critical knowledge necessary for working in multiple hospital and other care settings. Dani said, “During my time as a nurse educator working with new to practice nurses, I needed to leverage different learning methodologies to meet objectives and engage learners. I had the opportunity to co-create a simulation-based event with the IU Health simulation team related to hospital-acquired injuries and was fascinated by the opportunities this pedagogy afforded learners. I have had an interest in simulation ever since.”

 

Nursing is not a profession for the faint of heart, it is impactful to patients and providers, which often includes meeting new people, at the most troubling and stressful times in their lives. Despite these challenges nurses go to work every single day to help people. Dani says this of her experience practicing as a nurse, “I have had the honor of supporting patients and their families through some of the most difficult decisions and times of their lives. Nursing has touched my heart in ways I will never be able to fully describe, and it will always be a huge part of who I am. I hope to continue making a difference and positive impact, now in the lives of students.”

When she isn’t working to create simulation lessons for future nurses, or simulation presentations for prospective students, she values spending time with her family, being outdoors, and traveling.

Visit the School of Nursing website to learn more about our programs and the Simulation and Information Technology Center. If you’d like to become a volunteer patient for student nursing education you can contact Dani directly.