Benefits of Simulation in Nursing Education
Written by:
Wilson College
• Sep 16, 2026
As public health challenges emerge and technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing become more common in healthcare settings, simulation is becoming increasingly important in nursing education.
Simulation plays a key role in educating the next generation of nurse leaders. A recent study in Nurse Education Today found that simulation can improve nursing students’ knowledge, skills, and confidence. It allows students to practice clinical skills in safe, realistic settings without putting patients at risk.
This preparation is especially important as interest in advanced nursing education grows. From 2015 to 2024, the percentage of registered nurses (RNs) initially prepared with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) increased from 39% to 46%, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The percentage of nurses initially prepared with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) also increased, from 3% to 6%.
For nurses seeking to advance their careers, earning an MSN degree allows them to develop the knowledge and leadership skills needed to take on greater responsibilities in roles such as nurse educator, nurse practitioner, or chief nursing officer (CNO).
What Is Simulation in Nursing?
Simulation in nursing education gives nursing students the opportunity to experience realistic patient care situations without exposing actual patients to the risks associated with training. Students can apply what they’ve learned while making mistakes in a controlled setting. This type of practice can help boost their confidence and allows them to receive feedback from their teachers before caring for real patients in actual practice settings.
Simulation exercises may involve manikins, task trainers, virtual reality, standardized patients, and other integrated technologies in the classroom. Students can develop both technical and nontechnical skills, including:
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Clinical procedures
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Critical thinking
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Decision-making
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Communication
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Teamwork
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Situational awareness
How Do Simulation Exercises Work?
Simulation can range from individual practice to complex team-based exercises. A model known as zone-based simulation training allows students to gain skills and knowledge gradually. This model organizes simulation into five zones. As students move through each of the zones, the level of realism, distraction, complexity, and teamwork generally increases.
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Zone 0: Allows individual learners to practice through virtual tools and other simulation technologies
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Zone 1: Focuses on basic clinical skills through hands-on instruction
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Zone 2: Introduces more complex situations involving individuals or clinical teams, with a focus on clinical skills in realistic patient-care scenarios
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Zone 3: Uses established healthcare teams to improve teamwork, systems, and clinical performance
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Zone 4: Involves reviewing and learning from actual patient care experiences
Stages of a Simulation
Simulation in nursing education commonly consists of four stages:
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Prebriefing: The facilitator introduces the objectives, equipment, expectations, and learning environment. Students may also review evidence related to the clinical scenario.
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Briefing: Participants receive more detailed information about the situation, their roles, and the conditions they must follow.
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Simulation: Students participate in the scenario and apply their clinical knowledge and skills.
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Debriefing: The instructor and students review what happened, identify errors, discuss decisions, and consider how performance could be improved. Debriefing allows students to reflect and connect the experience to future clinical practice.
Designing a Simulation
Effective simulation experiences should be based on clear learning needs and measurable objectives. Simulation design typically includes the following elements:
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Input from clinical and simulation experts
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Preparation materials for students
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A learner-centered teaching approach
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Structured feedback or guided reflection
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Methods for evaluating students and the simulation itself
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Pilot testing before full implementation
Benefits of Nursing Simulation
Simulation is a critical component of nursing education because it allows students to develop skills, test decisions, and learn from their mistakes. Below are other benefits of simulation in nursing education.
Improved Clinical Knowledge and Reasoning
Simulation-based learning can help improve nursing knowledge and clinical skills compared with traditional instruction alone, according to a study published in Heliyon. Students can repeat scenarios after receiving feedback, helping them retain information and improve their performance. In simulated settings, students can assess situations, recognize changes, make decisions, and respond under pressure, helping them develop critical thinking skills and clinical judgment.
A Safe Learning Environment
In the clinical setting, nurses perform a host of sensitive procedures that require careful execution—from point-of-care blood glucose testing and medication administration to splint applications and intramuscular injections. Simulation allows nursing students to practice a wide range of procedures and correct mistakes without harming patients.
Support for Evidence-Based Practice
Simulation can also strengthen evidence-based practice skills. According to a study in the journal Clinical Simulation in Nursing, high-fidelity simulation can improve evidence-based practice competency among nursing students. A key example is prebriefing and scenario preparation, during which students search for literature, develop clinical questions, and evaluate evidence related to patient care.
Building Confidence, Resilience, and Teamwork Skills
Working through real scenarios helps students feel more at ease with tough clinical situations, helping build confidence. These exercises often involve classmates or healthcare professionals, enhancing communication and teamwork skills. Also, simulation in nursing education allows for practicing decision-making under pressure, helping build resilience. Reductions in stress, anxiety, and burnout, as well as improvements in job satisfaction, were observed in a study published in Clinical Simulation in Nursing.
Preparing for a Nursing Career
Simulation in nursing education offers value that extends beyond the nursing school setting. Employers can use simulation to help retrain experienced nurses, introduce new procedures, improve team performance, and support continuing education.
As nursing roles expand and patient care becomes more complex, simulation-based learning can help prepare students and working nurses for the situations they’re likely to face in their careers.
For those looking to advance in their nursing careers, the MSN program at Wilson College Online offers students the opportunity to customize their education by choosing one of two tracks: Education, or Leadership and Management.
The Education track prepares graduates for roles as clinical instructors, college faculty members, or staff educators. The Leadership and Management track supports advancement into administrative roles in nursing, healthcare business, allied health, and quality assurance.
Learn how Wilson College Online’s MSN program can help you take the next step in your nursing career.
Recommended Readings
How to Become a Hospital Administrator
Clinical Nurse Leader: Salary and Job Description
How to Become a Research Nurse
Sources:
American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing, Nursing Procedures
Gallup, Nurses Continue to Lead in Honesty and Ethics Ratings
The Open Nursing Journal, “Simulation in Basic Nursing Student Education: Uses and Barriers”
U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
