Medication Safety: Simulation Education for New RNs Promises an Excellent Return on Investment

High-fidelity simulation (HFS) education is a valuable tool for acquisition and maintenance of nursing competencies. Simulation education for new hospital nurses, who are most likely to make medication errors, is an appropriate and urgently needed application, in that the frequency and costs of inpatient medication errors are now a significant threat to both patient safety and operating budgets. Four factors, including baccalaureate preparation, that have converged to make the need for HFS education a cost-appropriate approach to the reduction of inpatient medication errors are reviewed. Most hospitals should be able to recover HFS investment costs within 12 months.