WEBINAR
The Real Sim Center, Elon
Building a Small but Mighty Simulation Program That Delivers Impact
Discover how Elon’s interprofessional simulation team creates psychological safety and measurable learning outcomes.
Dr. Nita Skillman, Bethany Fearnow, and Angel Hernandez reveal the operational strategies behind their thriving simulation center serving physical therapy, physician assistant, and nursing students across multiple learning modalities and clinical environments.
From managing 30+ standardized patients to leveraging LearningSpace for seamless scheduling and recording, this team demonstrates how intentional data collection, relationship-building, and curriculum alignment create sustainable success even with limited resources and competing institutional demands.
Key Takeaways
- Start data collection immediately — track simulator usage, supplies, and learner populations from day one to guide growth
- Build the right team first — an innovative, creative, collaborative team is essential to successfully running simulations
- Create psychological safety — learners perform best when they can fail in a supportive environment focused on learning
- Leverage technology strategically — use LearningSpace for scheduling, recording, and communication to streamline a small team’s operations
- Develop strong SP relationships — personalized communication and video training reduce discrepancies and improve standardized patient performance
- Balance fidelity with purpose — choose high or low fidelity based on learning objectives, not technology for technology’s sake
- Connect with your community — collaborate with local simulation centers, healthcare systems, and vendors rather than working in isolation
What did you find most valuable about this webinar?
“The inspiration to dream big and expand our program.”
“I love hearing about the setup and functioning of other simulation programs. This was extremely helpful to me & my role in my simulation program.”
“Their ability to document data in real time, like manikin use and supplies.”
“Their advice on what they wish they had started doing earlier and the little things that help them be more successful.”
“The collaborative nature of the simulation community.”
“The panelists’ opinion on the value of SPs in clinical education.”
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