Simulation in Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs: A Report by the AANA Simulation Subcommittee

Simulation is an integral part of the healthcare educational landscape and a key element in the future of graduate professional education. For the past three decades, simulation-based educational methodology has been gaining popularity in nurse anesthesia educational programs (NAEP). There is currently limited objective evidence documenting modalities used or educational outcomes addressed through simulation in NAEPs. In 2018, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) established a Simulation Subcommittee of the AANA Education Committee and tasked the group with two primary goals: 1) to gain a better understanding of the current state of simulation education and 2) to review responses with regard to how NAEPs could best incorporate simulation elements within their curriculum to meet requirements while adhering to the guidelines of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. A survey tool was developed and distributed to all programs to assess the utilization of simulation, available simulation resources, ongoing faculty development efforts, and barriers to use of this educational approach. Survey results indicated that simulation is valued as an effective method within NAEPs for a variety of teaching and learning activities and is utilized to support achievement of both technical and nontechnical learning outcomes for student registered nurse anesthetists.