From local roots to global reach: The CAN-Sim journey of advancing nursing simulation education and research

| 24 Jun 2025

Born from a shared vision to advance simulation-based education and research, what started with a small group of passionate nurse educators has grown into a thriving global organization with more than 3,500 members across 70 countries. Dr. Marian Luctkar-Flude, Associate Professor in the Queen’s School of Nursing and co-President of the Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators using Simulation (CAN-Sim), shares her reflections on delivering their first research conference in 2025.

First of all, what is simulation-based education, and why is it important in today’s world?

Simulation-based education is a teaching method that uses realistic scenarios to mimic real-life situations. For instance, in healthcare, it can replicate interactions with patients or clinical decision-making. Simulations can involve standardized patients, computerized mannequins, or online virtual simulation modules which feature pre-recorded videos with multiple decision points. The scenarios are completed in a controlled environment and allow students to learn from the simulation and from their instructors’ feedback without the added pressure of causing harm to patients. It can be used to prepare students for the realities of clinical practice and supplement learning in situations where clinical placements are difficult to secure.

How does the Canadian Alliance of Nurse Education using Simulation or CAN-Sim fit in this?

Simulation-based education has seen rapid growth in recent years. This growth is largely driven by advances in technology that make simulation experiences more accessible than ever, along with the wider recognition of its benefits, such as students’ improved decision-making and confidence. Given the inherent complexity of delivering high quality simulation-based experiences and with technology advancing so rapidly, the need for professional development opportunities in simulation became evident. CAN-Sim is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting nurse educators and clinicians from across Canada and internationally to share knowledge, resources, and expertise in simulation-based research and education.

Can you tell us how CAN-Sim came to be? 

The adventure started in 2013 with $5.8 million in funding awarded to a team of nurse educators from Queen’s University, to strengthen simulation-based learning and more effectively prepare nursing students for real-world clinical practice. In partnership with 13 Ontario university nursing schools and their college collaborators, the team purchased cutting-edge simulation equipment, created a repository of simulation scenarios, established a standardized scenario design process that is now used around the world, and supports faculty professional development in simulation-based education. The research team went on to formally establish the Ontario Simulation Alliance (OSA) under the visionary leadership of Dr. Deborah Tregunno from Queen’s University. The OSA offered in-person workshops across Ontario to teach the simulation design process and quickly grew to attract participants from across the country. Dr. Jane Tyerman and I stepped into leadership as Co-Presidents of the OSA in 2015 and the organization continued to grow by embracing innovative simulation approaches that leveraged technology and improved accessibility, such as virtual simulation games and digital learning environments. As national interest continued to build, in 2018 we officially launched CAN-Sim.

Can you explain how CAN-Sim contributes to advancing simulation-based education and research? 

CAN-Sim is well-known for its comprehensive repository of virtual simulations on diverse topics such as medical-surgical nursing, developing public health competencies, wound care, vaccine conversations, sexual orientation and gender identity nursing, and responding to racism in the classroom and clinical settings, to name a few. We also offer resources to guide users through the simulation and virtual simulation design processes, and we foster scholarship through monthly webinars and mentorship programs. In the research front, a dedicated special interest group supports its members in conducting simulation research and offers opportunities for collaboration. As a result, members of the research interest group have co-authored six simulation study publications to date, and have initiated more than a dozen additional projects, including scoping reviews and multi-site evaluations. CAN-Sim also funds research and innovation grants aimed at addressing current clinical or educational research gaps. Since 2022 we have awarded over $116,000 in funding to support graduate students, clinical educators, and nurse scientists conducting simulation research. And this year we also held our inaugural Research and Innovation Conference at BCIT in Burnaby, B.C.

Can you tell us more about the conference?

The vision for this inaugural conference was to establish a new platform for innovation and collaboration in simulation. Over the course of three days, attendants engaged in thought-provoking presentations, workshops, and inspiring keynote sessions that sparked fresh ideas around the future of simulation-based education and research. It was exciting to see so many passionate voices from Canada, the USA, Brazil, Qatar and the Netherlands in one place, all focused on advancing innovation and collaboration in simulation.

As the co-director, how do you see CAN-Sim evolving in the next few years?

The rapid growth of emerging technologies -such as virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality and artificial intelligence-, is opening a window of new and exciting possibilities for innovation in simulation. At the same time, the need for support will continue to grow, as more nurses and healthcare professionals will seek guidance, resources, and meaningful connections to navigate this evolving landscape. Alongside these advancements, there is a growing emphasis on interprofessional simulation as an approach to strengthen collaboration, enhance role clarity, and improve outcomes within teams. CAN-Sim looks forward to leading innovation in these emerging areas, and shaping the future of simulation through education, research, and collaboration.

To learn more about CAN-Sim, visit the official website at https://can-sim.ca/

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From local roots to global reach: The CAN-Sim journey of advancing nursing simulation education and research

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