In addition to the academic position as an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mount Royal University, Robert continues to maintain clinical practice in Pediatric Nursing (critical care). This has allowed him to be well positioned to pursue an inquiry of various pedagogical approaches of learning, which has developed into an appreciation of simulated based education. Robert undertook many Professional Development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills aimed at simulation teaching/learning and debriefing. Robert is currently involved in undergraduate simulation at Mount Royal University, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine and the KidSIM Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary. Robert continues to be engaged in simulation education and research activities supporting healthcare professionals and students in simulated learning experiences. Robert has completed the Simulation Comprehensive Instructor Course at the Centre for Medical Simulation, is a Certified TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer, completed the KidSIM Fellowship in Simulation Education and Research Program at the Alberta Children's Hospital, is a  Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator ®, and a Canadian Certified Simulation Nurse Educator.

Areas of instruction

• Child Health and Professional Practice of Child Health
• Simulation Based Education
• Trends & Issues in Nursing Leadership
• Health Promotion
• Transition to Independent Practice

Areas of scholarship

• Simulation Based Education
• Healthcare Teams and Team Communication
• Leadership

Selected Publications
Harvey, G., MacLean, H., & Catena, R. (2021). Using tag team simulation for ethics education in undergraduate nursing students. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 56, 121-124.

Catena, R., & MacLean, H. (2023). Contextualizing Learning in a Resuscitation Simulation Experience: A Supportive Approach to Simulation for Novice Learners. Quality Advancement in Nursing Education-Avancées en formation infirmière, 9(2), 2.

Selected Presentations
Catena, R. and MacLean, H. (2022). Speaking Up for Success: a pilot project supporting nursing students with communication skills for patient safety. 8th NETNEP 2022: International Nurse Education Conference. Sitges, Barcelona, Spain. (oral presentations).

Catena, R, Ong, C, Cripps, C, Chester, C, Catena, H (2022). Speaking Up: A Pilot Project Using Simulation Based Education Supporting Communication Skills for Patient Safety. IPSSW 2022 Conference: Diversity, Debrief, Disseminate, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Harvey, G, MacLean, H, Catena, R. (2020). Bringing Ethics to Life: Implementing Tag Team Simulation in Undergraduate Nursing Education. CASN Biennial Canadian Nursing Education Conference 2020. Calgary, AB. CASN Conference Cancelled-Covid-19 (Role: Co-Author)

Levin, H., Grant V., Catena H., Catena R., Chatfield J., Cripps A, Yiquin, L. Cheng, A. (2019). The use of Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice in Crisis Resource Management Skill Acquisition: A prospective pre-post interventional study. IMSH (Society for Simulation in Healthcare) Conference, 2019 San Antonio, TX.

Relevant Community Service

• 2023, Jan. – Present. INACSL, Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice Advisory Council (HSSOBP). Member of the HSSOBP Advisory Council Committee, providing expertise and support the review of the Four Core Simulation Standards™.
• 2023, June. – Present. INACSL, Education Committee. Member of the Education Committee and INACSL Simulation Education Program (ISEP). Providing expertise in simulation based education that is aimed at offering opportunities to support INACSL members and others in the simulation community with various educational initiatives.
• 2020, May – Present. Member of the Patient Safety Work Group, an International Group in the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH)-Nursing Section. The focus of the PSWG is to develop an awareness on how simulation-based education may support Patient Safety.