INACSL – Nursing Simulation Resource Organization

INACSL’s mission is to advance the science of nursing simulation by providing worldwide professional development, networking resources and leadership in defining healthcare simulation standards of best practice. Formally naming itself INACSL or the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning in 2002, the organization has grown from an all-volunteer organization based in Texas to a worldwide resource with over 2500 members.

Simulation Standards

INACSL’s major priority and contribution to medical simulation is the carefully developed standards for simulation practice. INACSL’s Standards of Best Practice: Simulation are published in the Clinical Simulation in Nursing.

The standards, which are free to everyone, provide an excellent foundation for all simulation programs ranging from one room simulation laboratories to multimillion dollar facilities housed in large medication centers and universities. If you are new to simulation, this is the place to start. Do not be overwhelmed by the number of standards, but instead focus on a few at first and gradually add in more standards.

Many educational accrediting bodies are requiring proof that simulation programs are using best practice. Adequate documentation that a simulation program is following the INACSL standards will go a long way to satisfy these accrediting bodies that the simulation activities are based on sound educational principles. Some simulation programs seek a separate national accreditation specifically for their labs from groups like ASPiH or SESAM, or certification for their staff from organizations like SSiH.

Again, the INACSL standards provide an excellent basis for any institution seeking this additional accreditation. The standards are updated frequently with the latest edition being published in December 2016.

Educational Activities

INACSL holds an annual four-day conference every June in various centers around the US and Canada. The conference provides education sessions, research results, networking opportunities and vendor exhibits for leading companies such as Laerdal, CAE Healthcare, SimulationIQ, Gaumard, B-Line Medical, KBPort, Pocket Nurse, 3D Systems, and more.

In addition, INACSL provides webinars, leadership book clubs and journal roundtables in a virtual format. A 15-month research fellowship designed to develop future leaders in simulation research is offered as well as regional workshops. INACSL is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Resources

In addition to the standards, INACSL offers other online resources including homegrown solutions links, a bibliography of simulation articles and resources for researchers. INACSL publishes the journal Clinical Simulation in Nursing with Dr. Nicole Harder as the current Editor-in-Chief.

INACSL educational materials and resources can be used for anyone. The conference focus is mostly geared towards Nursing Education at the undergraduate and graduate level.  Hospital education departments could can also benefit from conference attendance. The INACSL standards however, provide an excellent guide to all aspects of simulation and are applicable to everyone involved in any level of medical education.

International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning Latest News

Latest Clinical Simulation in Nursing Journal Highlights | June 2021

The International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL)’s leading journal, Clinical Simulation in Nursing, often shares articles on the latest research in nursing simulation. Clinical Simulation in Nursing ...
Read More

INACSL Virtual Conference 2021 | June 16-18

The 2021 INACSL Conference takes place virtually from Wednesday, June 16 through Friday, June 18. Each year, this event serves as a leading forum for simulation aficionados, researchers, and vendors ...
Read More

Mixed Debriefing Study Shows Benefits Over Group Debriefing for Clinical Simulation

In their recent HealthySimulation.com LEARN platform webinar entitled "Exploring Self Debriefing and Group Debriefing in Clinical Simulation" by Merveille Ndondo, BScN, RN, MN and Raquel Lashley-Trambulo, BScN, RN of Ryerson ...
Read More

How Clinical Simulation Research Helps Advance Healthcare Practice

During the 2021 International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) virtual simulation conference weekly lecture series, “Bringing Simulation Research To Life,” the presentation “How Research is Advancing Healthcare Practice” was ...
Read More

Clinical Simulation Programs: A Breakdown of Leadership Titles, Positions & Roles

Running a healthcare simulation program is a complex endeavor that requires an array of knowledge, skills and abilities. While some medical simulation programs rely on random opportunity to fill open ...
Read More

Evaluating Healthcare Simulation: Helpful Resources for Clinical Educators

Evaluating healthcare simulation is a crucial step in ensuring that educators can demonstrate ROI for both learning and program outcomes. Healthcare simulation has proved to be an extremely effective education ...
Read More

A Look Ahead: 2021 Healthcare Simulation Conferences and Events

After a year of healthcare simulation conference cancellations and virtual adaptations, many organizations and associations have postponed their events until 2021. Additionally, a number of clinical simulation conferences will continue ...
Read More

INACSL Standards of Best Practice for Clinical Simulation Infographic: Professional Integrity

The International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) has developed the INACSL Standards of Best Practice: Simulation to advance the science of simulation, share best practices, and provide ...
Read More

Summer’s Most Popular Healthcare Simulation Articles

If you have been away from work for the summer holiday you may have missed some of our most popular healthcare simulation articles from the season. Here you will find ...
Read More

INACSL Nursing Simulation Online CNE Sessions Are Accessible Through August 31st!

Though the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, or INACSL, has completed its annual event which was moved to a virtual event in 2020 due to COVID-19, all ...
Read More

Latest Healthcare Simulation Research From Leading Global Organizations

Following our recent article covering the latest medical simulation research specific to COVID-19, today we share the latest journal updates from HealthySimulation.com's media partners the International Nursing Association for Clinical ...
Read More

INACSL Hayden Vanguard Lectureship: 30 Minutes of Weekly Simulation in Every Hospital Around the World

Completing her coverage of the 2020 International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Virtual Conference, HealthySimulation.com staff writer Dr.  Kim Baily PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, previous Simulation Coordinator ...
Read More