About Ian Braithwaite
I am a Senior Lecturer on the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing Practice programme and have been a registered Adult Nurse since 2008. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and completed my PGCE in 2021 at the University of Sunderland.
My clinical and educational practice has been strongly shaped by the transformative impact of simulation. Through both teaching and clinical work, I have seen how simulation-based learning enhances patient safety, strengthens professional communication, and highlights the essential role of non‑technical skills in healthcare. I believe simulation‑enhanced education will continue to play a vital role in preparing the future workforce and in supporting positive cultural change across clinical environments.
I take a student‑centred approach to teaching, focusing on creating inclusive, engaging, and practice‑relevant learning experiences. My aim is to support every learner regardless of background or experience, to gain confidence, clinical competence, and professional identity.
My areas of interest include emergency care, reflective practice, non‑technical skills development, and digital learning. I have a particular passion for the use of podcasts and other accessible digital media to support health education and lifelong learning.
Listen to my podcast(opens in new tab).
Teaching and supervision
I am a Senior Lecturer on the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing Practice course and previously taught on the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care.
My teaching spans all three years of the Adult Nursing curriculum, where I contribute to a wide range of subject areas to support students’ development across the full programme.
I deliver teaching through lectures, seminars, simulation-based learning, and skills development sessions, with a focus on creating engaging and practice‑relevant learning experiences. I currently serve as the module lead for NRS‑101 Bio‑psychosocial Principles of Health and Wellbeing, supporting students in developing foundational knowledge of the biological, psychological, and social factors that underpin person‑centred care.
Interests
My professional interests centre on approaches that enhance clinical education and support the development of confident, competent healthcare practitioners. These include:
- Simulation-based learning – with a focus on improving non‑technical skills, patient safety, and professional communication.
- Podcasting – exploring the use of audio‑based learning as an accessible, flexible tool for health education.
- Digital learning – particularly the integration of technology to create engaging, inclusive, and student‑centred learning environments.
- Emergency care – drawing on my clinical background to support learners in developing effective decision‑making and situational awareness in acute settings.
Areas of expertise
I have extensive experience in adult nursing and higher education, with particular expertise in simulation‑based learning, emergency care, and the development of non‑technical skills in healthcare practice. My background spans clinical work, academic teaching, and digital pedagogy, enabling me to create engaging and practice‑focused learning experiences across all levels of the Adult Nursing programme.
I specialise in designing and delivering simulation activities that enhance decision‑making, communication, and teamwork, supporting students to develop the professional behaviours required in contemporary clinical environments. I also have a strong interest in digital and audio‑based learning, including the use of podcasts to support flexible and accessible health education.
My expertise includes:
- Simulation‑enhanced teaching and learning
- Emergency care and acute clinical decision‑making
- Development of non‑technical skills and reflective practice
- Digital learning design, including podcasting and multimedia education
- Teaching across all three years of the Adult Nursing curriculum
Further information
I have been a Registered Adult Nurse since 2008, with a strong clinical background in emergency care and experience in medical education within the NHS. In my previous role supporting foundation doctors, I provided portfolio guidance, pastoral support, and simulation‑based training, helping early‑career clinicians develop confidence and competence in their practice.
I joined the University of Sunderland in 2019 as a lecturer on the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care programme, before moving into the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing team in 2023. Since then, I have contributed to teaching, simulation, and curriculum development across the programme.
I have been honoured to receive two student‑nominated awards:
- Most Engaging Teacher (2021)
- Most Inspirational Member of University Staff (2022)
These awards are particularly meaningful to me as they reflect positive student experiences and the value they place on supportive, inclusive, and engaging teaching.