Mrs. Hopkins Ibsen joined the faculty of LSU-SON late January 2021, after the semester had started. It was the during height of the Covid pandemic, and she had to hit the ground running. She was able to prepare and present theory content on multiple topics covering adult health issues. She presented PowerPoint presentations that included Socratic questioning through the Zoom format due to Covid-19 restrictions. Along with presentation of theory content, she assisted in the simulation lab, providing hands on instruction, guidance and evaluation of simulated clinical scenarios. In late spring of 2021, she took students to University Medical Center’s adult med-surg for in person, real-life clinical experience and patient care.
One student wrote in the spring 2021 evaluation “Somehow, I did the best on my third exam which was the majority of your lectures. I found that the way you went into great detail during lectures really really really helped me. Although I did take notes, on everything you said, when I went back and read them while I studied it all seemed to come together. I didn't have to go in the textbook and read anything for clarification because the way you taught gave all the details we needed to know (except the charts in the textbook I had to go and look at that). Overall, what really helped me was that you didn't just broadly talk about a subject. You actually took the time to explain the pathophysiology behind everything. I ACTUALLY didn't have to memorize, which is what I found myself doing the majority of the other tests which didn't help me. It really helped when you would repeat certain things too because it was like a light bulb moment of 'oh okay this is important’. I really was able to understand the material. I really hope you continue to teach this way because it helped me a lot. And I found that a lot of my other classmates didn't watch and take notes on what you talked about during lecture which is why maybe the average for the test went down.” Statements such as this are her motivations to teach.
In the spring of 2022, she moved into the critical care course to teach and take students for 2 rotations to West Jefferson’s Neuro Critical Care unit. Here the students really got to put the pieces together of all the knowledge they have accumulated over the past 2 years of nursing school. They saw intracranial bleed patients at their worst, some recovered, and some unfortunately passed away, which allowed the students to participate in post-mortem care. Students, and clinical staff, liked and appreciated the way I took the time to break difficult concepts down and explain things, and put it to use at the bedside.
In March 2023, Mrs. Hopkins Ibsen moved into a Simulation Faculty position in the Nursing Skills and Technology Center (NSTC). This was an area of nursing education that she developed a deep passion for. She loves being able to create scenarios and situations that are realistic and meaningful to students, and allow them to develop and foster creativity, clinical decision making, collaboration, and clinical judgement. These experiences foster their confidence while allowing for a physically and psychologically safe environment to learn and make mistakes.
Mrs. Hopkins Ibsen’s research interests are in healthcare simulation, safe medication administration including dosage calculation, critical care nursing, student and community engagement. She is a member of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, The International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, Sigma Theta Tau International-Epsilon Nu Chapter, National League for Nursing, Professional Nurse Educator Group, and American Association of Critical Care Nurses.
Mrs. Hopkins Ibsen is very active in community organizations and events. She has been an active member of the city’s oldest all female dance group, The New Orleans Pussyfooters, who’s mission is to raise money to help support New Orleans Metro Advocacy Center and victims of domestic violence. She is also an active member in the Krewe of Tucks organization. As well as parading every year during Mardi Gras, she works all year long supporting and volunteering for numerous charity and community events.
