Do dummies make good teachers? A paradigm shift for clinical educators

SummaryThis discussion paper will explore contemporary clinical nursing in Australia and simulation technologies used in universities to educate Bachelor of Nursing (BN) students. Informed by auto-ethnographic principles the authors reflect on their teaching experiences in both clinical and tertiary sectors with specific reference to challenges encountered through the use of simulation technologies. Further, increased reliance on simulation as a teaching tool in nursing education is discussed and techniques for embracing this explored. The authors’ pedagogical goal is to ensure students develop the capacity to competently process patient information, enabling them to safely plan, implement and evaluate interventions and outcomes.