How to prepare for participating in a simulation activity

RATIONALE AND KEY POINTS: Simulation-based education is an increasingly integral part of preregistration nurse education. Indeed, in the UK, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) allows up to 600 hours of simulated practice learning to count towards nursing students' and nursing associate students' total practice learning hours. However, students can sometimes feel anxious about participating in simulation activities, which can have an adverse effect on their learning experience. • Preparation before participating in a simulation activity can help to mitigate feelings of anxiety and enable students to better engage with the activity. • Simulation facilitators should seek to create a psychologically safe environment for students, in which they feel able to express their ideas and concerns openly, ask questions, make mistakes and challenge others without fear. • The simulation pre-brief is a vital aspect of simulation-based education, providing an opportunity for students to clarify what will be expected of them during the activity. • Debriefing is also a critical component of simulation learning and can support students' psychological safety by providing a structured way of reflecting on their experiences, sharing insights and receiving constructive feedback on their performance. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: How to articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might enhance your experience of participating in a simulation activity. • How you could use this information to assist others in preparing to participate in a simulation activity.