NCSBN National Simulation Guidelines 

The NCSBN published the National Simulation Guidelines for Prelicensure Nursing Programs in 2015 to provide a structured framework for integrating simulation into nursing curriculum. These guidelines were developed by an expert panel comprising representatives from organizations such as the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), National League for Nursing (NLN), Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), and various Boards of Nursing. The guidelines were informed by data from the NCSBN National Simulation Study, literature reviews, and the INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice. 

  1. Incremental Integration: Nursing programs are advised to gradually increase the amount of simulation in their curricula as faculty expertise and resources develop. 
  2. Simulation as a Pedagogical Tool: Simulation is defined as a technique—not a technology—to replace or amplify real experiences with guided experiences that evoke or replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive manner. 
  3. Substitution for Clinical Hours: While the NCSBN National Simulation Study demonstrated that up to 50% of traditional clinical hours could be substituted with high-quality simulation without compromising educational outcomes, the guidelines emphasize the importance of the quality of the simulation experience over the quantity of hours. 
  4. Faculty Preparation: Faculty members should be adequately prepared to lead simulations, including training in simulation pedagogy and debriefing techniques. The guidelines recommend the use of standardized methods for debriefing, such as the Socratic method, to enhance learning outcomes.   
  5. Program Infrastructure: Programs should ensure they have the necessary physical space, equipment, and technological resources to support simulation activities effectively. 
  6. Evaluation and Feedback: Continuous evaluation of simulation experiences is essential. Programs should collect and analyze data to assess the effectiveness of simulations and make necessary adjustments to improve learning outcomes. 
  7. Standardized Scenarios and Objectives: Simulation scenarios should have clearly defined objectives aligned with program outcomes. These scenarios should be designed to provide realistic and meaningful learning experiences for students. 

Since their release, the NCSBN simulation guidelines have led to widespread adoption of simulation as a core element of nursing curriculum. By establishing a standardized approach, the guidelines have promoted consistency, quality, and best practices across educational programs. They have also driven policy changes, prompting many state boards of nursing to revise regulations to allow greater use of simulation in prelicensure education. Importantly, the guidelines underscore the critical need for faculty training in simulation design and debriefing to ensure effective and meaningful learning experiences. 

For more detailed information, you can refer to the full guidelines on the NCSBN website: National Simulation Guidelines for Prelicensure Nursing Programs. 

 

INACSL Standards of Best Practice 

Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice 

The Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice, developed by INACSL, serve as evidence-based guidelines to improve the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of simulation-based education. These standards aim to advance the science of simulation, share best practices, and support the ongoing development of simulation as a recognized professional practice. By adopting these standards, simulation teams demonstrate a commitment to excellence and improved patient care through rigorous, evidence-informed practices. As the science of simulation continues to advance, the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice must also evolve through ongoing updates and revisions. As such, these standards are considered living documents, continually refined to reflect current best practices and emerging evidence (INACSL). 

The standards cover key areas such as prebriefing, simulation design, facilitation, debriefing, operations, outcomes, professional integrity, interprofessional education, and evaluation. Each standard offers a structured approach to developing, delivering, and assessing simulation experiences. 

[Source: 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  

Watts, P. I., & [Other Authors if Available]. (2021). Onward and upward: Introducing the healthcare simulation standards of best practice™. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 58, 1–4 ]