Bridging the gap

ABSTRACT: The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties has identified communication, psychomotor skills, and cognitive decision-making as core competencies for all nurse practitioners. Faculty leaders of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program at the University of Texas at El Paso were tasked with developing innovative assignments to help FNP students meet core competencies. This article discusses the challenges and successes of creating and implementing best-practice simulation events for FNP students to help students practice these core competencies, utilizing standardized patients, and maintaining the psychological safety of all participants. Findings from each event are utilized to help improve or refine future events.