Professional Development

Supporting nurses in their role as healthcare simulation educators is essential to the success of simulation-based learning. Professional Development, as outlined in the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (INACSL), provides the gold standard for achieving this goal. Both novice and experienced simulationists must maintain up-to-date knowledge of simulation pedagogy to deliver high-quality, goal-directed simulation experiences for learners. This section offers resources tailored to both novice healthcare simulation educators and experienced simulationists.  
Pursuing the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) credential is an important step toward enhancing the professional recognition of simulation educators, and detailed information about the certification is provided here. Additionally, this section defines key roles within simulation education and includes resources to support continuous professional growth. Regardless of their level of simulation expertise, all healthcare simulation educators are encouraged to utilize the resources listed under the Simulation Overview tab to support and guide their practice.  

These include the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice, the Simulation Safety website, and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare’s Healthcare Simulation Dictionary 3.0. 

Simulation Training Courses 
 
Simulation training courses are created to help educators, clinicians, and professionals build and advance their skills in simulation-based education. Whether you're starting out or aiming to deepen your expertise, the courses below offer structured, evidence-based learning to support your growth in healthcare simulation. Explore the recommended options below that best align with your learning needs and style. 

  1. Certificate in Simulation – Drexel University 
    A comprehensive continuing education program focused on simulation-based teaching strategies for healthcare educators. 
  2. Healthcare Simulation Essentials: Design and Debriefing – Center for Medical Simulation 
    Offered by Harvard’s Center for Medical Simulation, this course focuses on foundational principles of simulation design and effective debriefing practices. 
  3. Overview of Simulation – Saint Anselm College 
    An introductory program exploring core simulation concepts, designed for clinical instructors and healthcare educators. 
  4. Standards, Core Competencies, and Best Practices in Healthcare Simulation Workshop – Society for Simulation in Healthcare 
    A professional development workshop covering the latest best practices and standards in healthcare simulation education. 
  5. NLN SIRC Deeper Dive Courses The NLN offers Deeper Dive courses through its SIRC Reimagined platform, providing advanced, focused learning opportunities for simulation educators seeking to expand their expertise in specialized areas of simulation-based education. 

[Sources: INACSL Standards Committee. (2021). Healthcare simulation standards of best practice®. International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. https://www.inacsl.org/healthcare-simulation-standards 

INACSL Standards Committee. (2021). Healthcare simulation standards of best practice™: Professional development. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 58, 5–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2021.08.007  

International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL). (n.d.). Professional development. https://inacsl.memberclicks.net/assets/Simfographics/Professional%20Development.pdf 

Long, E. M., Calloway, K., Thedford, J. M., Rolf, C., Steely, B. W., & Huff, J. (2024, November). Bridging nursing professional development and Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice™. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 96, 101612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2024.101612 ]