Bridging nursing professional development and Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice

•Many nursing faculty, although expert clinicians do not have the knowledge and skills to develop and run simulations in nursing programs utilizing standards of best practice.•The primary nurse planner for an approved provider of nursing continuing professional development identified a gap in simulation knowledge, confidence, and skills as a teaching modality among nurse educators and graduate nurse educator students.•In accredited nursing programs, nursing faculty are expected to engage in professional development and receive support for the use of teaching technologies.•Skill competency was assessed during participation in development of a basic simulation utilizing Health Simulation Standards of Best Practice™.•Nursing professional development can be a tool to close the knowledge, skills, and practice gap. Both the faculty shortage and limited clinical placement opportunities for students impact the use of simulation in nursing programs. Despite widespread use, many nursing faculty do not have training in simulation best practices and have limited skills and confidence in the use of simulation. As part of a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Grant, a Simulation Series was developed for nurse educators and graduate nurse educator students with the objective of increasing knowledge, confidence and skill as a nurse educator utilizing simulation as a teaching strategy. The series was developed based on the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice™. The education was designed to be a four-part Simulation Series combining both in person and virtual components. Completion of the series provided 20 contact hours of Nursing Professional Development (NPD). Twelve participants completed all 4 modules in the series, limiting the generalizability of the data. However, data suggest an overall improvement in knowledge, confidence, and skills. Development of clinically and technologically relevant simulation education based on set standards can challenge nurse educators. Nursing professional development can be a tool to close the knowledge, skills, and practice gap.