Christine M. Thomas

Christine Thomas headshot

Christine M. Thomas

Ph.D., RN, CHSE-A

Director of Simulation and Experiential Learning

Clinical Associate Professor


Contact:

Innovation Hall (School of Nursing) 45085 University Drive, #205D Ashburn VA 20147

Christine M. Thomas is the director of simulation and experiential learning. She comes from West Chester University of Pennsylvania where she developed the Nursing Department undergraduate simulation curriculum and two popular undergraduate simulation elective courses. She mentored faculty in the College of Health Sciences in the use of simulation in various departments, and collaborated with faculty to develop Inter-professional education simulation experiences.

Dr. Thomas earned her Healthcare Simulation Educators-Advanced certification in 2020. She designed and conducts faculty development workshops on the topic of simulation best practices nationally for National League for Nursing/Laerdal Medical. Her areas of interest include experiential learning methods, curriculum design and evaluation methods.


  • Widener University – Doctor of Philosophy, Emphasis in Nursing Education, Theory and Research (2004)
  • Indiana University – Master of Science in Nursing, Specializing in Nursing Education/Adult Health (1996)
  • DeSales University – Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1987)
  • Davidson, P., Heinerichs, S., Reed, M.A., Grillo, E.U., Thomas, C.M., Sankaran, G., Curtis, N., Bean, N., & Holt, H.R. (submitted 1/2018). Students' knowledge and attitudes: An interprofessional education workshop and experience. International Journal of Health Sciences Education.
  • Mraz, M., Thomas, C.M., & Rajcan, L. (accepted 5/1/18). Intramuscular Injection CLIMAT Pathway: A Clinical Practice Guideline. British Journal of Nursing.
  • Thomas, C., & Mraz, M. (2017). Exploration into how simulation can effect new graduate transition. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 13(10), 465-470.
  • Thomas, C., & Kellgren, M. (2017). Extrapolation of Benner's novice to expert model: An application for simulation facilitators. Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(3), 227-234.
  • Grillo, E.U., & Thomas, C. (2016). Using high-fidelity simulation to facilitate graduate student clinical learning. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 1 (SIG 10), 4-15. doi:10.1044/persp1.SIG10.4
  • Thomas, C., Sievers, L.D., Kellgren, M., Manning, S., Rojas, D., & Gamblian, V. (2015). Developing a theory based simulation educator resource. Nursing Education Perspectives, 36(5), 340-342.
  • Thomas, C., Mraz, M., & Rajcan, L. (2015). Blood aspiration during IM injection. Clinical Nursing Research. 1-11 doi:10.1177/1054773815575074
  • Thomas, C., & Mraz, M. (2013). Designing a medication cart and computerized chart on a budget. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing: CIN Plus. 31(6), 251-254.
  • Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH)
  • International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL)
  • Philadelphia Simulation Consortium
  • American Nurses Association (ANA)
  • National League for Nursing (NLN)
  • Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society
  • Health Care Simulation