In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare education, healthcare simulation has emerged as a cornerstone of clinical training. For nurse educators and allied health professionals, remaining at the cutting edge of this technology is not just an advantage, but a necessity. The Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators Using Simulation (CAN-Sim) wants to lead this charge. A hub for collaboration and innovation, CAN-Sim currently offers healthcare simulation professionals a unique opportunity to upskill through upcoming virtual simulation development workshops while providing access to a massive repository of educational resources. This HealthySimulation.com article by Content Manager Dr. Teresa Gore will highlight CAN-Sim and their resources for virtual healthcare simulation use and development, including their upcoming online workshops!
CAN-Sim Organization Supports Nursing Simulationists
The Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators Using Simulation, or CAN-Sim, is a collaboration of nurse educators dedicated to excellence in healthcare simulation education and research. Connection of nurse educators and allied health professionals from across Canada and beyond internationally to share their knowledge, resources, and expertise in areas of clinical simulation, which also includes research and education. HealthySimulation.com is a proud media partner of CAN-Sim.
The organization serves as a critical bridge to connect professionals not only within Canada but also internationally. Through partnerships with media platforms like HealthySimulation.com, CAN-Sim continues to amplify the benefits of its network to a global audience. The workshop is merely an entry point into the broader CAN-Sim ecosystem. The organizationโs mission is rooted in “connecting nurse educators and allied health partners from across Canada and beyond to share knowledge, resources, and expertise in areas of simulation education and research”. CAN-Sim operates on a set of core beliefs that drive its strategic priorities:
- Collaboration strengthens impact: By connecting educators, the collective reach of their work expands
- Mentorship strengthens membership: Supporting members through guidance ensures the growth of the community
- Innovation drives progress: Forward-thinking approaches move the art and science of healthcare simulation forward
View the HealthySimulation.com Webinar Comparing Standardized Patients vs AI-Enhanced Virtual Patients in Clinical Training to learn more!
Upcoming Opportunity: Virtual Simulation Game Design Workshops
For educators looking to transition from passive consumers of simulation content to active creators, CAN-Sim is hosting a highly interactive Online Workshop series in February. This event is designed specifically for educators and health professionals who want to master the art of virtual simulation game (VSG) design.
Unlike theoretical seminars, this workshop is practical and outcome-oriented. Participants will be guided through the entire lifecycle of creating a virtual simulation. The curriculum covers essential developmental stages, including:
- Writing Learning Outcomes: Establish clear educational goals for the simulation
- Assessment Tools: Create rubrics to evaluate student performance effectively
- Structural Design: Developing decision point maps that dictate the flow of the game
- Content Creation: Script writing and filming
- Final Production: Game assembly
The most significant takeaway from this series is that participants will not just learn about the process, participants will also create a virtual simulation during the workshop. Mark Your Calendars: The workshop is scheduled across three days to ensure immersive learning:
- Tuesday, February 17th: 9 AM โ 4 PM
- Thursday, February 19th: 9 AM โ 4 PM
- Saturday, February 21st: 9 AM โ 4 PM
- Follow-up Meeting: A 2-hour session (To Be Determined) to ensure continued support.
For those considering joining the organization, paid CAN-Sim members receive a 15% discount on all workshops, making membership a strategic financial decision for professional development.
CAN-Sim for Valuable Simulation Resources
One of the primary value propositions of CAN-Sim is its extensive library of content. The organization currently offers access to over 120 virtual simulation games, with even more currently in development. Furthermore, the library includes 100 healthcare simulation scenarios, creating a robust toolkit for any nurse educator. The content covers a diverse range of critical and contemporary topics. In the Members Only area, educators can find virtual simulations that address:
- Social Justice Issues: Racism, sexuality, and gender
- Clinical Settings: Adult, pediatric, and community-based care
- Soft Skills: Communication and team-based skills
View the new HealthySimulation.com Community Nursing Simulation Group to discuss this topic with your Global Healthcare Simulation peers!
Advancing Research and Scholarship
CAN-Sim is not just about teaching; they search for evidence-based validation. A strategic priority for the organization is to implement strategies that promote the development, application, and dissemination of healthcare simulation research. To support this, CAN-Sim has established a Research Interest Group. This benefit, available to full members, offers monthly meet-ups, opportunities for multi-site research collaborations, and mentorship for research design, implementation, and publication.
For those who seek funding, the CAN-Sim Research Grants provide financial support for nurse-led research or innovation projects. These grants are open to projects involving various simulation modalities, including high-fidelity patient simulation, virtual reality (VR), and escape rooms, provided they address a clinical or educational research gap.
Membership: Options for Every Educator
CAN-Sim offers a flexible membership structure that meets the needs of individuals, students, and large organizations. Paid Membership Benefits are for educators who seek comprehensive access and want to unlock the full potential of the platform. Benefits include:
- Access to all virtual simulation games (over 200 total resources, which include scenarios)
- Access to the membership directory for networking
- Exclusive research grant opportunities and awards
- Free registration to webinars and access to the webinar library
- 15% discount on workshops
The CAN-Sim “Contributor” Pathway offers a way to earn a free annual membership. When educators share a developed healthcare simulation scenario or virtual game, they can become contributing members. In exchange for their contribution, they gain access to design templates, evaluation tools, the repository of peer-reviewed scenarios, and mentorship from experts across Canada. This model directly supports the organization’s philosophy of resource sharing.
CAN-Sim offers free and student options for those at the beginning of their healthcare simulation journey. Limited memberships are free and provide access to open-source clinical simulations and games. There is also a specific student membership option that includes access to the monthly newsletter and open-access resources.
Continuous Learning via Webinars
Beyond workshops and static resources, CAN-Sim maintains an active culture of continuous learning through their webinar series. The Members Only webinar library features presentations on high-impact topics such as:
- Why is Debriefing so Important and How Do I Use it to Foster Learning
- Establishing Psychological Safety In Simulation
- Preparing for the Healthcare Simulation Educator Exam
- Virtual Experiences in Nursing Education
These webinars serve to enhance expertise in evidence-based teaching and learning, aligning perfectly with CAN-Simโs strategic priorities. As healthcare education becomes increasingly digitized and interconnected, organizations like CAN-Sim are essential to maintaining high training standards. Whether you are looking to build your own virtual simulation in the upcoming February workshops, seeking to collaborate on multi-site research, or simply needing a reliable library of scenarios for your students, CAN-Sim offers a pathway to excellence.
Register to Participate in the Upcoming CAN-Sim Virtual Simulation Workshop!
