Cynthia Bradley, PhD, RN,CNE, CHSE

Dr. Cynthia Bradley is an Assistant Professor and Director of Simulation at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. With a PhD in Nursing from Indiana University, she is a dedicated nurse educator, researcher, and simulationist working to reimagine nursing education. Dr. Bradley's expertise lies in integrating simulation throughout nursing curricula and preparing faculty to use evidence-based teaching methods. She currently leads the Big 10 Practice-Ready Nursing Initiative, a $1.3 million grant-funded project exploring the use of immersive virtual reality and structured clinical preceptorship to better prepare nursing students for the workforce.

Throughout her career, Dr. Bradley has been committed to advancing nursing education through innovative teaching strategies and rigorous research. Her work focuses on developing and assessing faculty competence in reflective debriefing techniques, particularly the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning method. As a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) and Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), she has presented nationally and internationally on simulation in nursing education. Dr. Bradley is actively involved with professional organizations like the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) and the National League for Nursing (NLN), contributing to initiatives that prepare nurse educators to use debriefing effectively across all teaching and learning environments.

• E. Louise Grant Award, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2021
• Ruth Corcoran Research Award, National League for Nursing, 2019
• Jonas Scholar Cohort VI, Jonas Foundation/National League for Nursing, 2017
• National League for Nursing Mary Anne Rizzolo Doctoral Research Award, National League for Nursing, 2016

Bradley, C. S., Johnson, B. K., Woda, A., Hansen, J., Loomis, A., & Dreifuerst, K. T. (2023). The Impact of Single Dose DML Training on Debriefer Quality, Time, and Outcomes: Early Evidence to Inform Debriefing Training and Frequency. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 81(101432).

Ness, M., Bradley, C. S., Flaten, C. B. (2023). Gender Affirming Post-Op Care Simulation for Pre-Licensure Nursing Students: A Pilot Project. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 81(101432). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2023.101432

Bradley, C. S., Bliss, D. Z., Becker, A., Timko Olson, E., Flaten, C., Gurvich, O. V., Bauer, J.(2023). Development and Evaluation of a Wearable Simulator System. Clinical Simulation in Nursing. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2023.101428

Bradley, C. S., Dreifuerst, K. T., Loomis, A., Johnson, B. K., Woda, A., Hansen, J. (2022). Implications of the Dunning-Kruger Effect:  Finding Balance between Subjective and Objective Assessment in Debriefing Professional Development. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 69, 18-25.  doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2022.05.002

Bradley, C. S., Dreifuerst, K. T., Johnson, B. K. (2022). More than a Meme:  The Dunning-Kruger Effect as an Opportunity for Positive Change in Nursing Education. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 66, 58-65. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2022.02.010

Bradley, C., Johnson, B. K., & Dreifuerst, K. T. (2021). Psychometric Properties of the Revised DML Evaluation Scale: A New Instrument for Assessing Debriefers. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 56,99-107. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2021.04.008

Dreifuerst, K. T., Bradley, C. S., & Johnson, B. K. Using DML debriefing with screen-based simulation. Nurse Educator, 46(4), 239-244. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000000930

Bradley, C. S., Johnson, B. K., & Dreifuerst, K. T. Debriefing: A place for enthusiastic teaching and learning at a distance. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 49, 16-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2020.04.001.

Bradley, C. S., Johnson, B. K., Dreifuerst, K. T., White, P., Conde, S. K., Meakim, C. H., Curry-Lourenco, K., Childress, R. M., 2019. Regulation of Simulation Use in United States Prelicensure Nursing Programs. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 33 (C): 17-25. Minneapolis, United States:
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2019.04.004

Bradley, C. S., 2019. Impact of Training on Use of Debriefing for Meaningful Learning. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 32 (C): 13-19. Minneapolis, United States.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2019.04.003

Dreifuerst, K. T., Fan, J. Y., Bradley, C. D., Liu, Y. M., Johnson, B. K., Chao, L. F., Woda, A., Huang, H. P., Loomis, A., Chang, W., Hansen, J., Wu, M. L., Ho, L. H. "The Process of an International Collaboration for Simulation Research", INACSL Annual Conference 2022, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 01, 2022.

Bradley, C. D., Loomis, A. "Using DML in Clinical Environments", Gateway Technical Community College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 14, 2022.

Hoffman, S. J., (Author), Bradley, C. D., Porta, C. M., (Author), Frerich, E., (Author), E. J., (Author) "A Contextual Adaptation of CBAM in the Implementation of a Trauma-Informed Mentoring Framework for Nurses New to the SANE Role", IAFOR International Conference on Education, International Academic Forum, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. January 01, 2022.

Bradley, C. D., Bartman, C., Ellerson, M., Clark, L., Woll, A. "Building Inter-Institutional Relationships Through Collaborative Innovative Simulations", IMSH 2022, Society for Simulation in Healthcare, Los Angeles, California, January 01, 2022.

Bartman, C., Bradley, C. D., Clark, L., Ellerson, M. "Building Inter-Institutional Relationships Through Collaborative Innovative Simulations", IMSH 2022, Society for Simulation in Healthcare, Los Angeles, California, January 01, 2022.

Bradley, C. D., Johnson, B. K., Dreifuerst, K. T., Woda, A., Hansen, J., Loomis, A. "Time Well Spent: Evidence for the Length of Time in Debriefing", IMSH 2022, Society for Simulation in Healthcare, Los Angeles, California, January 01, 2022.

Bradley, C. D. "A Contextual Adaptation of CBAM in the Implementation of a Trauma-Informed Mentoring Framework for Nurses New to the SANE Role", IAFN, Hawaii, January 01, 2022.

Bradley, C. D., Johnson, B. K., Dreifuerst, K. T., Woda, A., Loomis, A., Hansen, J. "Pursuit of Excellence in Reflective Debriefing to Improve Learner Knowledge Outcomes", AACN Transform 2021, AACN, Dallas, Texas, December 01, 2021.

Bradley, C. D., Johnson, B. K., Dreifuerst, K., Woda, A., Loomis, A., Hansen, J. "Making Debriefing Meaningful: Assessing Student Knowledge Outcomes After Faculty Training in Debriefing for Meaningful Learning", NLN Education Summit 2021, National League for Nursing, Washington D.C., September 01, 2021.

Mariani, B., Forneris, S. G., Daniels, A., Bradley, C. D. "Benchmarking Educational Best Practices: Educational Practices Questionnaire-C", NLN Education Summit 2021, National League for Nursing, Washington D.C., September 01, 2021.

Bradley, C. D., Johnson, B. K., Dreifuerst, K. T., Woda, A., Loomi, A., Hansen "Making debriefing meaningful: Assessing student knowledge outcomes after faculty training in debriefing for meaningful learning", NLN Education Summit 2021, National League for Nursing, Washington D.C., September 01, 2021.

Forneris, S., Mariani, B., Bradley, C. D., Daniels, A. " Benchmarking Educational Best Practices: Educational Practice Questionnaire-C", International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning 2021, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning , Denver, Colorado, June 01, 2021.

Bradley, C. D., Johnson, B. K., Dreifuerst, K. T., Woda, Hansen, J., Loomis "The Importance of Debriefing Training: Measuring Student Knowledge Outcomes after Faculty Training in Debriefing for Meaningful Learning", International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Nursing 2021, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Nursing, Denver, Colorado, June 01, 2021.

Bradley, C. D. "Debriefing in Simulation and Beyond", Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education 2021, Wolter Kluwer, June 01, 2021.

Dreifuerst, K., Bradley, C. D., Johnson, B. K., Woda, Hansen, J., Loomis, A. "Using Debriefing for Meaningful Learning with Screen-based Virtual Simulation", International Nursing Association for Clinical Learning and Simulation 2021, International Nursing Association for Clinical Learning and Simulation, Denver, Colorado, June 01, 2021.

Woda, A., (Author), Dreifuerst, K. T., (Author), Bradley, C. D., Johnson, B. K., (Author), Hansen,, (Author), Loomis,, (Author) "Testing the Impact of a Train-the-Trainer Program on the Use of Debriefing for Meaningful Learning", 22nd Annual Building Bridges to Research-Based Nursing Practice, Wisconsin League for Nursing, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 01, 2021.

Bradley, C. D. "Debriefing Best Practices in Health Sciences", MnSHEP Fall 2021, Minnesota State Healthforce Center for Excellence, Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 01, 2021.

Bradley, C. D. "INACSL Standard – How Can We Implement the Standards in My Setting", WLN Fall Conference 2020, Wisconsin League for Nursing, Wisconsin, United States. November 01, 2020.

Johnson, B. K., Bradley, C. D., Dreifuerst, K. T., Woda, A., Hansen, J., Loomis, A. "Teaching Assimilation, Accommodation, and Anticipation in Simulation with Debriefing for Meaningful Learning: The Knowledge Assessment Scale and Knowledge Application Scale", NLN Education Summit 2020, National League for Nursing, Washington D.C., United States. September 25, 2020.

Bradley, C. S., Johnson, B. K., Dreifuerst, K. T., Woda, A., Hansen, J., Loomis, A. "How Well Do You DML? Assessing Your Use of Debriefing for Meaningful Learning", NLN Education Summit 2020, University of Minnesota, Washington D.C., September 25, 2020.

Woda, A., Dreifuerst, K. T., Bradley, C. D., Johnson, B. K., Hanson, J., Loomis, A. "Testing the Impact of a Train-the-Trainer Program on the Use of Debriefing for Meaningful Learning", NLN Education Summit 2020, National League for Nursing, Washington D.C., United States. September 25, 2020.

Forneris, S., Mariani, B., Bradley, C. D., Daniels, A. "Benchmarking Educational Best Practices.", NLN Education Summit 2020, National League for Nursing, Washington D.C., United States. September 01, 2020.

Mariani, B., Forneris, S. G., Bradley, C. D., Daniels, A. "Engaging Educational Best Practices Across the Curriculum: Aligning our Teaching", INACSL Annual Conference 2020, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, June 01, 2020.

Bradley, C. D., Johnson, B. K., Dreifuerst, K. T., Woda, A., Hansen, J., Loomis, A. "Assess and Improve Debriefing Skills Using the Revised Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale", INACSL Annual Conference 2020, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, June 01, 2020.

Johnson, B. K., Bradley, C. D., Dreifuerst, K. T., Woda, A., Hansen, Loomis, A. "The knowledge assessment and knowledge application scales: Testing assimilation, accommodation, and anticipation in simulation with debriefing for meaningful learning", INACSL Annual Conference 2020, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning , June 01, 2020.

Koffel, J. B., Bradley, C. S., Bisson, T. A., Haffertepe, M. "Emerging Technology to Empower Active Learning", Best Practices Day 2020 UMN, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, April 30, 2020.

Bradley, C. D. "Simulations and Other Strategies to Replace Clinical Hours for Student Progression and Graduation", Wolters Kluwer Webinar, Wolters Kluwer, April 01, 2020.

Bradley, C. S., Johnson, B. K., Dreifuerst, K. T., Woda, A., Hansen, J., Loomis, A. "The DMLES: An Instrument to Assess Competence in Debriefing for Meaningful Learning", Sigma/NLN Nursing Education Research Congress 2020, Sigma/National League for Nursing, Washington D.C., United States. March 01, 2020.

Forneris, S., (Presenter), Bradley, C. S., (Author & Presenter), Mariani, B., (Presenter), Daniels, A., (Presenter) "Debriefing across the curriculum: Assessing your program for quality improvement Part II", National League for Nursing Education Summit 2019, National League for Nursing, Washington D.C., District of Columbia, September 01, 2019.

Dreifuerst, K. T., Bradley, C. S., Forneris, S., Daniels, A., Mariani, B. "Debriefing across the curriculum: Assessing your program for quality improvement Part I", INACSL 2019, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, Phoenix, Arizona, June 01, 2019.

Bradley, C. S., (Author), Johnson, B. K., (Author), Meakim, C., (Author), Childress, R., (Author), Curry Lourenco, K., (Author), Conde, K., (Author), White, P., (Author) "Simulation Regulations After the NCSBN Study: Seeking Clarity", INACSL 2019, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, Phoenix, June 01, 2019.

Bradley, C. D. "Debriefing for Meaningful Learning", Louisiana Simulation Council, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, April 01, 2019.

Bradley, C. S., (Presenter), Susan, F., (Presenter), Dreifuerst, K. T., (Presenter), Fey, M., (Presenter), Onello, R., (Presenter), Daniels, A., (Presenter) "INACSL/NLN Collaborative: Enhancing Student Learning Using Debriefing Across the Curriculum. Part 1", NLN Education Summit 2018, National League for Nursing, Chicago, Illinois, United States. September 13, 2018.

Bradley, C. S., (Author & Presenter), Hoffmann, S., (Presenter) "Soft Skills for Solid Care", INACSL 2018, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, Toronto, Canada. June 14, 2018.

Bradley, C., (Author & Presenter) "Development and Psychometric Testing of the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Inventory© (DMLI)", National League for Nursing/Sigma Theta Tau, Washington DC, United States. April 01, 2018.

Bradley, C., (Author & Presenter) "Building an Evidence-Based Professional Practice", Sigma Theta Tau, Mid America Nazarene University, Olathe, Arkansas, February 01, 2018.

Dreifuerst, K. T., (Author & Presenter), Bradley, C. S., (Author & Presenter), Jeffers, S. "Current and Potential Doctoral Students: Becoming a Researcher in Nursing Education", NLN Education Summit 2017, National League for Nursing, San Diego, California, United States. September 15, 2017.

Bradley, C. S., (Author), Hoffmann, S., (Author) "Cultivating Compassion through Clinical Simulation and Debriefing.", NLN Education Summit 2017, National League for Nursing, San Diego, California, United States. September 14, 2017.

Dreifuerst, K. T., (Presenter), Forneris, S., Fey, M., Onello, R., Bradley, C. S., Daniels, A. "Through the Looking Glass: Enhancing Student Learning. ", NLN Education Summit 2017, National League for Nursing, San Diego, California, United States. September 14, 2017.

Dreifuerst, K. T., (Author & Presenter), Bradley, C. S., (Author & Presenter), Page-Cutrara, K., (Author & Presenter) "Transforming Nursing Knowledge, Education, and Practice through Pre-Briefing and Debriefing. ", STTI Research Congress, Sigma Theta Tau International, Dublin, Ireland. July 30, 2017.

Bradley, C. S., (Author & Presenter) "Best Practices in Simulation", Nursing Education Conference, Missouri Nurse Educators, Columbia, Missouri, United States. November 11, 2016.

Bradley, C. S., (Author & Presenter) "DML© and DMLES© Workshop for Simulation Educators. ", Southeast Indiana Simulation Consortium, Batesville, Indiana, United States. October 28, 2016.

Forneris, S., (Presenter), Dreifuerst, K. T., (Presenter), Durham, C., (Presenter), Tagliareni, E., (Presenter), Bradley, C. S., (Presenter) "Operationalizing the NLN/INACSL Debriefing Vision Statement. ", NLN Education Summit 2016, National League for Nursing, Orlando, Florida, United States. September 22, 2016.

Bradley, C. S., (Author) "Exploring DML Debriefing with the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale© (DMLES). ", NLN Education Summit 2016, National League for Nursing, Orlando, Florida, United States. September 21, 2016.

Bradley, C., (Author) "Exploring DML Debriefing with the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale© (DMLES)", National League for Nursing Education Summit, Orlando, Florida, United States. September 01, 2016.

Bradley, C. "Faculty Use of Debriefing with the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale© (DMLES). ", International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, Grapevine, June 01, 2016.

Bradley, C. "Debriefer Evaluation with the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale© (DMLES) ", Midwest Nursing Research Society, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. March 01, 2016.

Bradley, C. "The Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale: Evaluating the Debriefer", Professional Nurse Educator Group, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. October 01, 2015.

Bradley, C. S. "Evaluating the Debriefer with the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluative Rubric", National League for Nursing Education Summit 2015, National League for Nursing, Las Vegas, United States. September 01, 2015.

Bradley, C. "Pilot Testing of the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluative Rubric", National League for Nursing Education Summit 2015, National League for Nursing, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. September 01, 2015.

Bradley, C. D., Hoffmann, S. "Preparing the Learner...Are WE Prepared?", JCCC Healthcare Simulation 2015, Johnson County Community College, September 01, 2015.

Bradley, C. "Evaluating the Debriefer with the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale", Sigma Theta Tau International Research Congress 2015, Sigma Theta Tau, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States. July 01, 2015.

Bradley, C. "Preparing Family Nurse Practitioners for clinical exams through simulation", International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, Atlanta, Georgia, United States. June 01, 2015.

Bradley, C. D. "Findings of the National Council State Boards of Nursing", National Simulation Study, Simulation User Group across the Region, Kansas City, Missouri, October 01, 2014.

Bradley, C. D. "Teaching debriefing across the curriculum", National League for Nursing Headquarters, Debrifing Think Tank, Washington, District of Columbia, October 01, 2014.

Bradley, C. D., Tally, K. T. "Flipped classrooms and active learning strategies", Oklahoma Nursing Association Conference, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, February 01, 2014.

Bradley, C. S., Tally, K. "Flipped classrooms and active learning strategies", Oklahoma Nursing Association Conference, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. February 01, 2014.

Bradley, C. "Curriculum integration of simulation and technology", IMSH 2014, International Medical Simulation in Healthcare, San Francisco, California, United States. January 01, 2014.

Bradley, C. D. "Highlights of the Education Summit", Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences, October 01, 2013.

Bradley, C. D. "Curriculum integration of simulation and technology into a nursing program", Johnson County Community College Simulation Conference, Overland Park, Kansas, September 01, 2013.

Bradley, C. D., (Moderator) "Debrieging for Meaningul Learning with Kristina Dreifuerst", Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences, Kansas City, Missouri, January 01, 2013.

Bradley, C. S. "Simulation as a teaching methodology", SUGAR Fall 2012, Simulation User Group Across the Region, Kansas City, August 01, 2012.

Bradley, C. S., (Author & Presenter), Hedrick, J., (Author & Presenter) "Multiple patient leadership scenarios", Central Regional HPSN Conference, HPSN, Kansas City, Missouri, United States. June 01, 2012.

Bradley, C. S. "Exploring the laboratory islands", Saint Luke's Health System, Kansas City, Missouri, United States. October 01, 2011.

Award: The Big 10 Practice-Ready Nurse Initiative
Principal Investigator: Bradley, Cynthia D.
Sponsoring Organization: American Nurses Foundation, Inc.
Award Dates: 2022 - 2025

Award: Determining Efficacy of a Maternal and Neonatal Simulation and Debriefing Intervention to Improve Clinical Competence of Diverse Students at the University of Nairobi
Principal Investigator: Bradley, Cynthia D.
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility
Award Dates: 2022 - 2023

Award: Development of a Bariatric Mannequin System to Enable Re
Principal Investigator: Bliss, Donna Z
Sponsoring Organization: Innovative Design Labs INC
Award Dates: 2021 - 2023

Award: Strengthening Support of Survivors with an Expanded SANE
Principal Investigator: Porta, Carolyn Marie
Sponsoring Organization: US Dept. of Health & Human Services HRSA
Award Dates: 2021 - 2024

Award: A Wearable Health Simulator
Principal Investigator: Bliss, Donna Z
Award Dates: 2020 - 2022
Funded Amount: 227330

Award: Development of a Bariatric Mannequin System to Enable Re
Principal Investigator: Bliss, Donna Z
Award Dates: 2019 - 2020
Funded Amount: 22760

Award: Measuring the Impact of Training on the Use of Debriefin
Principal Investigator: Bradley, Cynthia D
Award Dates: 2019 - 2021
Funded Amount: 24757

• Debriefing
• Simulation in health care education
• Extended realities in health care education

For permission to use the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale (DMLES), please complete this form:  https://forms.gle/cgan9DxYK2rmFWd86