The debate in favour of using simulation education in pre-registration adult nursing

SummaryThe purpose of this paper is to have a fresh look at the literature on the advantages and disadvantages of simulation education as a teaching, learning and assessment methodology within pre-registration nurse education. It will highlight the reasons why simulation education has been re-introduced into nurse education within many Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in the United Kingdom (UK). This is in an attempt to enable the student nurse to develop competence in the clinical skills required for fitness for award, practice and purpose. This comes at a time when the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) are conducting further research on simulation education and whether it can replace practice hours.