Getting in S.T.E.P. with simulations: simulations take educator preparation.

Overall, students have found simulation experiences rewarding and helpful in increasing their self-confidence prior to being placed on a clinical unit (4). Current outcome studies using simulations in nursing education are positive and suggest much potential for shifting some traditional clinical education into the simulated learning environment (6). Probably the most important reason to adopt this pedagogy is because of the ability to create standardized environments that present students with safe, problem-solving encounters that require real-time assessment and interventions for real clinical problems. With the national call for the use of innovative clinical models, nurse educators need to be encouraged and supported in designing and implementing innovations such as simulations in the nursing curriculum.