Simulation in nursing staff development: a concept analysis.

The authors analyze the concept of simulation as it pertains to nursing staff development. The goal is to define clinical simulation and its attributes as well as to explore the historical origins. Although literature on simulation abounds as it pertains to other disciplines, including medicine, little has been written on the nursing implications. Improved understanding of the concept allows the nursing educator to better incorporate and expand simulation into a variety of multidisciplinary team building, quality improvement, and staff development programs.