Jacinda Bunch, PhD, RN, SANE-A, NREMT, is a clinical assistant professor in the Acute and Critical Care Division in the College of Nursing and is senior advisor for the Simulation in Motion (SIM-IA) Program.
Tell us about your hometown; how did it shape you?
I grew up in California. California, Missouri, a small town in the center of the state. My dad used to have fun with it when we went on vacations. People would ask where we were from, and off Dad would go…. “California”, “the southern part…Yeah, it’s been a long drive…Nope, never been to the ocean” etc. He’d always let them off the hook before we left, and everyone would have a good laugh. Growing up, we had one flashing light at the main intersection, a wonderful park, great neighborhoods to ride bikes, creeks to catch crawfish, and farmland a “block” away from home. We had to drive 30 minutes for shopping, restaurant chains, and healthcare, so we tried to make do with what we had. My hometown gave me an appreciation for farming and rural communities along with the challenges of living outside of town.
Tell us about your hobbies/outside interests.
My outside interests tend to focus on my family. My husband and I have three daughters who are grown, but thankfully live in the area. We enjoy spending time with their families and significant others. Our time ranges anywhere from watching sand volleyball, splashing in a backyard pool, mini-vacations, and even helping with home projects. Our youngest is nine, so we spend lots of time together. She’s a gymnast, so I love watching her practices and competitions. We enjoy taking leisurely rides on gravel roads in our area, play lots of games, and spend time with our dogs. I guess my official hobbies are reading, board games, video games, crocheting, and playing with our dogs.
If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
This is really a hard choice between a dog and a wolf, but I think I would go with a wolf. I see a lot of parallels with wolves and motherhood. I appreciate and admire the dedication that the wolf has to both its pack and family, along with power, a free spirit, and independence. And although there has been a lot of research focused on wolves, much of their lives remain a mystery to us. Wolves are highly intelligent, form lifetime bonds, and are affectionate toward each other. Once they find a mate, they often stay together for life. The entire pack cares for the pups and will protect them against danger. Finally, they are gorgeous animals with a beautiful howl. How could I go wrong with that?
Can you share a recent book/movie/performance that you found compelling and why?
As my youngest is a gymnast, we spent a lot of time watching the Olympic trials and Olympics. Every gymnast put so much work into their routines, knowing that there were a limited number of spaces at the top. But still they competed. They put their very best out there for everyone to see, applaud, and critique. My older daughters all competed in team sports. I’ve learned that competing in a solo sport is very different. Yes, you have teammates cheering you on. But they are also competing against you. If you make a mistake or slip, there’s no one to pick up that slack. When you win, you’re also a little sad for a teammate who did not. It was truly incredible to watch.
What attracted you to the University of Iowa?
My advisor in my Master of Science (Nursing) program at the University of Missouri left to come to the University of Iowa College of Nursing. She knew I wanted to pursue my PhD and enjoyed teaching. She encouraged me to come visit campus and at the time, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to (UIHC), meet with faculty, and explore the community. I was impressed with the College of Nursing, both from an educational standpoint and as a research-intensive university. UIHC felt like home and could see myself engaging there. Finally, my husband and I fell in love with the setting and sense of community. We decided that we would pursue moving to the Iowa City area so that I could join the faculty. We purchased a small acreage outside of town in 2009 and love it here.
What surprised you the most about the university?
Having lived most of my life in the rural Midwest, I was surprised to see how much the university felt like a small town. I assumed there would be more of a big-city feel on campus. I started my academic career commuting to a small historically black university, then completed my RN-BSN and master’s degrees online as a working parent through the University of Missouri. So, I never had the traditional four-year university experience. While not everyone knows each other here, they know a little about you just by where you work and your discipline. It’s very easy to reach out and make connections across campus. People are generally honest, friendly, and go out of their way to be helpful. The university really feels like home.
How would you explain to a child what you do?
Depending on the age of the child, I would tell them that I do a lot of different things at my job. I teach people how to be nurses. Or how to help people take care of people who are sick or injured or want to be healthier. I ask lots of questions and try to learn better ways to take care of people and to help people take care of themselves. Some of the things I like learning about are how nurses and first responders act in emergencies and how we can improve emergency care. I help first responders and nurses practice caring for people in emergencies so that they can do their jobs better all over the state.
Tell us about a project or achievement of which you are particularly proud.
Simulation in Motion – Iowa (SIM-IA) is the project that I’m most proud of here at the university. I first learned about this opportunity back in 2018. My research advisor shared the concept and asked what steps I would take. I suggested a statewide Needs Assessment to support a full grant proposal. I was able to join the team, complete the assessment, and then worked with Dr. Cormac O’Sullivan on developing a grant proposal for SIM-IA. We received funding in 2021, worked on implementation during COVID, and brought SIM-IA to life with a ribbon cutting in Des Moines in 2022. Since that time, we’ve been able to provide high-fidelity simulation education to 7,925 healthcare professionals and 329 community members across the state to improve health outcomes.
How do you see your work impacting your field?
I truly believe our nursing students will change the world of healthcare, for the better. They are intelligent, articulate, and passionate leaders. I’m so proud to be a part of their journey. My research has focused on how nurses and healthcare providers respond to emergencies. I’ve had the honor of serving as an advisory committee member for the International Society for Rapid Response Systems since 2015. This society is a way to network with the research and clinical experts and present my work internationally. My goal during the next 2 years as president is to increase the visibility of and engagement with the society in the United States. My work with SIM-IA will impact my field by supporting rural healthcare professionals through simulation education and advocating for rural healthcare. Working with these professionals and hearing how direct patient care has been impacted reinforces my passion for improving rural health outcomes.
What piece of advice would you give to today's students?
Just Breathe. It’s very easy to get consumed with the stress and busy pace of daily life, especially as a young adult. Remembering to take a moment to Just Breathe helps to slow things down, put things in perspective, and stay centered. Apparently, I’ve said this so much to my daughters, that my oldest ended up getting this as a tattoo on her wrist to help her remember her mom’s words of advice. That made me realize just how much our children actually listen to their parents.
Where do you see your career taking you?
I see myself continuing to develop my career here at the University of Iowa. Our family has found our home here, I love my work, and I don’t see any reason to move on. Teaching undergraduate nursing students, especially helping them to be able to move into their role as a professional nurse after graduation. Participating in health systems research is a fascinating part of my role at the university. I enjoy participating on these teams with some phenomenal collaborators. Facilitating clinical simulations across the state with SIM-IA is another part of my job that I truly love. SIM-IA has also encouraged me to become a small part of the EMS world. I appreciate being able to give back to my community and my state in these roles.
In closing, what words of wisdom would you like to share, what quotation or person inspires you, what does the next chapter look like?
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring; all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia This speaks to me as a mother, a wife, a nurse, an educator, an EMT, and simply as a human. The simple act of caring for each other can get lost easily in text messages, social media, and our busy lives. Taking a few moments to say hello in the elevator, sincerely ask about someone’s day, and actively listening are just a few ways we can make an effort to connect with another person. We never know how our actions will impact someone else, so we need to do the best we can, every time.