Clinical Simulation in Nursing

Volume 59, October 2021, Pages 23-31

Featured Article
Simulation in Nursing Education Programs: Findings From an
International Exploratory Study
Author links open overlay panelCChabreraRN, MSN, PhDaECabreraRN, PhD, FEANSad

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2021.05.004Get rights and content

Highlights
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Simulation constitutes part of the curriculum in undergraduate nursing programs.

There is no comparative evidence of nursing simulation training across countries.

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Significant variability in the implementation and use of simulation training.

Lack of global standards for nursing education accreditation.

Establish a consortium to regulate a framework for simulation education.

Abstract
Background
Nursing education often employs simulation-based education to prepare for clinical practice.
However, despite its perceived importance, there is no common practice for its integration into
different nursing curricula. This study aimed to describe and compare the levels of
implementation of simulation-based education in nursing curricula across different countries.
Methods
A quantitative and qualitative exploratory study was conducted in 2019 using a questionnaire
developed using the Delphi technique. Eight European member institutions participated in this
exploratory study. Qualitative data were hand-coded and analyzed using descriptive analysis.

Results
Differences were found regarding (a) simulation in nursing programs, (b) the simulation
environment, and (c) expert opinions. There exists a wide range of simulation-based education
accreditation systems, and the absence of regulatory standards to replace clinical hours in the
curriculum is a challenge for international exchange programs.

Conclusions
Universities should invest in and guarantee high-quality research to evaluate national and
international initiatives and contribute to simulation-based education.