Shannon Parker
Positions
Associate Professor (Teaching)
Faculty of Nursing, Faculty
Contact information
Phone number
Office: 403.220.8854
Location
Office: PF3252
Preferred method of communication
Please contact me by email.
Background
Educational Background
Master of Nursing , University of Calgary, 2015
Bachelor of Nursing University of Calgary, 2003
Bach of Phys Health Education University of Calgary, 1996
Biography
Innovative Educator and Research Leader Applying Sport Science to Nursing Practice
Shannon Parker is an innovative educator and research leader applying sport science and human factors to advance nursing education and clinical performance. As an Associate Professor (Teaching) in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary, she brings expertise in translating interdisciplinary science into evidence-informed pedagogy that strengthens patient safety and clinical readiness.
Her scholarly work focuses on integrating perceptual-cognitive training and performance optimization strategies, drawn from sport science and human factors, into nursing education. Through simulation-based learning and innovative teaching design, Parker leads research that connects theory and practice, to inform psychomotor skill acquisition and vascular access success. Her publications in leading journals highlight the impact of Quiet Eye training and standardized protocols on improving first-attempt success rates in peripheral intravenous cannulation.
Parker’s academic leadership includes serving as Interim Assistant Dean of Faculty Development and as a lead architect of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum redesign, embedding relational, emancipatory pedagogy and Universal Design for Learning principles. She has guided faculty teams in adopting inclusive, high-impact teaching models and advancing simulation integration across undergraduate programs.
Recognized through multiple teaching and leadership award nominations, Parker is committed to fostering excellence in nursing education through innovation, collaboration, and mentorship. Her work extends beyond institutional boundaries, cultivating global partnerships to shape the future of nursing education and performance science.
Research
Areas of Research
Innovation in Healthcare: Advancing Performance Science in Nursing Education
Our research program advances nursing education by applying principles of sport science and human factors to optimize psychomotor skill acquisition and improve patient safety. Grounded in sport science and human factors, this work addresses critical gaps in clinical readiness by developing and testing strategies that enhance perceptual-cognitive skills essential for complex healthcare tasks.
A flagship focus of our program is the integration of Quiet Eye training, a gaze technique widely recognized in elite sport and surgical practice for its role in expert performance. While its impact on motor learning is well established in other domains, its application in nursing education remains underexplored. Through randomized controlled trials and Delphi-informed protocols, we are examining how targeted gaze training can accelerate skill mastery and reduce error rates in procedures such as peripheral intravenous cannulation.
Looking ahead, our research aims to expand these innovations to a broader range of psychomotor skills and health professions education, fostering transdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge translation across clinical and academic settings. By embedding evidence-based performance strategies into teaching and learning, we seek to transform educational practice and strengthen the safety and quality of patient care.
Advancing Teaching and Learning Through Scholarship
My Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) focuses on transforming nursing education through evidence-informed, inclusive, and innovative practices. Anchored in simulation pedagogy and Universal Design for Learning, my work connects theory and practice to strengthen student learning outcomes and clinical readiness. I integrate sport science, human factors, and perceptual-cognitive strategies, such as Quiet Eye training, into psychomotor skill development, advancing approaches that improve patient safety and procedural success.
This commitment to innovation is reflected in peer-reviewed publications on simulation effectiveness, gaze training, and students-as-partners approaches, as well as grant-funded projects that explore new models for teaching and learning. Recognized through multiple teaching award nominations, my SoTL extends beyond individual practice to faculty development and mentorship, fostering a culture of scholarly teaching and collaborative improvement.
Looking ahead, I aim to scale these interdisciplinary strategies across health professions education, leveraging research and partnerships to influence global standards for inclusive, high-impact learning. By embedding evidence-based methods into curriculum and faculty development, my work contributes to shaping the future of nursing education and advancing excellence in patient care.
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 351 | Health Promotion Practicum | Fall 2025 |
| BN & BScN programs | Simulation Pedagogy Integrated Across All Clinical Courses | Fall 2025 |
| NURS 552 | Principles of Teaching and Learning for Nursing Practice: Nurse as Educator | Fall 2023 |
| NURS 387 | The Science of Health: Families in Transition | Winter 2023 |
| NURS 289 | Integrating Nursing Roles & Practice I: Learn, Praxis & Scholarship Practicum Setting | Fall 2022 |
| NURS 389 | Integrating Nursing Roles & Practice II: Learn, Praxis & Scholarship Practicum Setting | Spring 2022 |
| NURS 389 | Integrating Nursing Roles & Practice II: Learn, Praxis & Scholarship Practicum Setting | Winter 2022 |
| NURS 289 | Integrating Nursing Roles & Practice I: Learn, Praxis & Scholarship Practicum Setting | Winter 2022 |
| NURS 387 | The Science of Health: Families in Transition | Winter 2020 |
| NURS 289 | Integrating Nursing Roles & Practice I: Learn, Praxis & Scholarship Practicum Setting | Winter 2020 |
Awards
- Growing the Network, Bragg Creek & Redwood Meadows Wellness Network, Rocky View County, Family and Community Support Services. 2025
- Tableside Talks, Bragg Creek & Redwood Meadows Wellness Network, Rocky View County, Family and Community Support Services. 2025
- University of Calgary Teaching Award Nominee, University of Calgary. 2024
- Teaching Academy Grant for Educational Leadership, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. 2024
- Educational Leadership Award Nominee, Alberta Nursing Eduction Administrators. 2023
- University of Calgary Teaching Award Nominee, University of Calgary. 2023
- Vice President Research Catalyst Grant, University of Calgary. 2022
- Educational Leadership Award Nominee, Alberta Nursing Eduction Administrators. 2019
- Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning Grant: Developing Nursing Expertise: Application of the Quiet Eye to Nursing Education, University of Calgary. 2017
Publications
- A randomized control trial to compare Quiet Eye training efficacy to traditional technical training with undergraduate student nurses’ peripheral intravenous cannulation performance: A protocol. Republished with permission to special issue.. Parker, S.I.A., Wilkens, J., Inayat, S., Hollingsworth, N., Causer, J., Virani, S., & Caird, J.K.. British Journal of Nursing. S21-S26. (2025)
- A randomized control trial to compare Quiet Eye training efficacy to traditional technical training with undergraduate student nurses’peripheral intravenous cannulation performance: A protocol. . Parker, S.I.A., Wilkens, J., Inayat, S., Hollingsworth, N., Causer, J., Virani, S., & Caird, J.K.. Vascular Access - Journal of the Canadian Vascular Access Association. 7-20. (2024)
- Novice and Expert Nurses’ Eye Movements and Success With Simulated Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization. Shannon I.A. Parker, Sarah M. Simmons, Alanna Rutherford, Jeff K. Caird, Karen M. Benzies. Clinical Simulation in Nursing. 42-48. (2021)
- Prediction of early adverse events in emergency department patients with acute heart failure: A systematic review. . Michaud A.M., Parker, S.I.A. Ganshorn, H., Ezekowitz,J.A. & Mcrae A.. Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 168-179. (2018)
- A systematic review: Effectiveness of pediatric peripheral intravenous catheterization strategies . Parker, S.I.A., Benzies, K.M. & Hayden, K.A. . Journal of Advanced Nursing. 1570-1582. (2017)
- Effectiveness of interventions for adult peripheral intravenous catheterization strategies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Parker, Shannon I.A., Benzies, K.M., Hayden, K.A. & Lang, E.S. . International Emergency Nursing. 15-21. (2017)
- Students as Partners in Higher Education: Perspectives & Practices. Tracey L. Clancy PhD, Shannon Parker MN RN. Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning Teaching Academy. (2024)
- Courageous teaching and learning within genuine student as partner practices.. Parker, Shannon I.A., Pepers, A., Viet-Blonde, H., & Clancy, T. . Conference on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching. . (2024)
- A Human Factors Evaluation of Intramuscular Naloxone Kits for Use in Opioid Overdose Prevention. Richardson, A., Kam, J., Parker, S.I.A., & Caird, Jeff K.. International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care. (2024)
- • Teaching, learning, becoming, and sustaining: Curriculum innovations to address students' mental health, well-being, and professional identity . Estefan, A., Parker, SIA, Clancy, T., Davidson, K., O'Rae, A., Laing, C.. NETNEP 2024: 9th International Nurse Education Conference. (2024)
- Engaging learners in a large classroom: An authentic family nursing simulation experience. O'Rae, A., Parker, S.I.A., Ferreira, C.. Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Conference. (2021)
- Successful integration of dedication simulation and research teams. Parker, S.I.A., Prince, P., Morgan, P., & Goldsworthy, S.. National League for Nursing Education Summit. (2017)
- The changing landscape: Integrating addiction medicine with nursing education.. Stachan, S., Parker, S.I.A., Cullen, M.. Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine. (2017)
- Development of simulations to address difficult conversations across clinical specialties: For senior nursing students. Prince, P., Parker, S.I.A., Morgan, P., & Goldsworthy, S. International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. (2017)
In the News
- Teaching and Learning. University of Calgary: Nursing Roots. (2023)
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