“SimWars”: A Multispecialty Simulation Competition to Improve Learning

• Simulation competition to foster team-based patient care.
• Simulation competition incorporating multiple specialty courses.
• Innovative teaching strategies targeted to millennial students.
• Utilizing technology, teamwork, and creativity in nursing education.
• Improving leadership skills in undergraduate nursing students.

The unique characteristics of Millennial nursing students require nursing faculty to develop innovative teaching strategies. The use of simulation in nursing education is one innovative approach. Furthermore, team-based simulation training is increasingly being used in hospitals and universities to train interprofessional health care teams. This article describes an innovative simulation competition, called “SimWars,” developed by faculty in three nursing courses within a baccalaureate program: Nursing of Children, Nursing of the Childrearing Family, and Community Health, to foster team-based attitudes toward patient care.