Simulation education: challenges and suggested practices as nursing faculty members’ experience in the Malaysian nursing curriculum

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of utilizing simulation in nursing education to mimic clinical environments are well known. Simulation education has been readily embraced and is increasingly expanding as an innovative approach to the teaching and learning process involved in preparing nursing students for clinical placement. To date, little of the research specifically addresses, in the Malaysian context, the experiences of nursing faculty members (NFMs) in terms of their preparation for the use of this approach. Objective: The aim was to explore NFMs’ experiences of simulation education implemented in the curriculum. Methodology: This study adopted a qualitative design. Focus group discussions were conducted with 23 NFMs in Malaysia and recruited using purposeful sampling. The participants took part in focus group discussions and audio-recorded interviews. The data were analysed using the NVIVO software and the thematic analysis approach. The data analysis indicated they valued its positive impact on learning outcomes, the student experience and the ability to simulate more complex scenarios during training. Results: Inadequate training, lack of resources and lack of prior planning, negatively influenced the intention to use and effectively implement simulation in the curriculum. Discussion & Conclusion The study indicated that NFMs perceived simulation education as a learning pedagogy that can improve students' learning if used effectively. They believed that to realise the potential of simulation, more support should be provided through training, the availability of necessary resources, and improved planning and organisation