This project, funded by the Council of Deans of Health and Health Education England and led by ARU, aims to build a robust evidence base for simulation-based education (SBE) in pre-registration nurse education to help expand clinical placement capacity and improve workforce readiness.
It investigates how simulation-based education and simulated practice learning can transform nursing education by expanding practice learning opportunities. The research will inform universities, NHS England, clinical partners and professional regulators how to build capacity and effectively integrate simulation into nursing curricula and assess the factors influencing effective use.
Working in collaboration with the Council of Deans of Health, ARU researchers led the project design, systematic review, surveys, case studies, and focus groups. The Council facilitated sector-wide engagement, access to participants, and dissemination across UK higher education institutions.
The transition from education to clinical practice presents significant challenges for nursing students. The global health workforce shortage is projected to exceed 13 million nurses by 2030 (ICN, 2022; WHO, 2020).
In the UK, nursing vacancies account for over one-third of healthcare job openings, creating significant risks to patient safety and continuity of care. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed systemic fragilities, intensifying workforce pressures and contributing to high levels of burnout, declining mental health, and staff attrition.
Clinical placement capacity remains severely constrained, with limited opportunities for students to gain exposure to the breadth of clinical situations needed to ensure adequate preparation for registration. This research responds by exploring how SBE can expand placement capacity, equip students to achieve the NMC (2018/2024) Future Nurse standards, and strengthen workforce resilience and retention.
This programme of work has investigated the role of simulation in enabling nursing students to achieve the NMC's Future Nurse: Standards of Proficiency, fostering competence, confidence, and readiness for practice at the point of registration. The research offers comprehensive evidence base on how SBE can be effective replacing clinical placement and factors to consider enhancing its integration and effective use in nursing curricula, generated through:
This work directly aligns with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (NHS England, 2023), which sets out the ambition to increase nursing training places by 92% over the next decade, requiring innovative models of practice learning.
At global level, the work contributes to the WHO Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health (2030), and advances UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Abdulmohdi, N., Edmonds, M., Shaw, S., Prothero, L. et al [Council of Deans for Health Simulation Reference Group] (2025) 'Policy briefing: Advancing healthcare education through simulation-based education'. Policy briefing for the Council of Deans for Health.
Abdulmohdi, N., Edmonds, M, Shaw, S., Prothero, L. and Meads, C. (2025) 'The challenges, opportunities, and organisational readiness for simulation-based education in pre-registration nurse education', Nurse Education Today. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106881
Harrison, N., Edmonds, M., Meads, C., Abdulmohdi, N. Prothero, L. and Shaw, S (2024) Simulation in nursing: An evidence base for the future'. Report for the Council of Deans.
Edmonds, M., Abdulmohdi, N., Meads, C., Prothero, L. and Shaw, S. (2024) 'Experiences of universities with Nursing & Midwifery Council approval for simulated practice learning in pre-registration nurse education: a qualitative study', Association of Simulated Practice Learning Conference (ASpiH), 4-5 November 2024, Edinburgh. Available atL https://doi.org/10.54531/NZVH4654
Prothero, L., Abdulmohdi, N., Edmonds, M., Meads, C. and Shaw, S. (2024) 'Simulation-based education compared to clinical teaching for undergraduate nurses: A systematic review', Association of Simulated Practice Learning Conference (ASpiH). 4-5 November 2024, Edinburgh. Available at: https://doi.org/10.54531/HVWC2273
Shaw, S., Edmonds, M., Abdulmohdi, N., Prothero, L. and Meads, C. (2024) 'Redefining nursing education: How does simulated practice learning shape student and academic supervisor experiences? A case study analysis', Association of Simulated Practice Learning Conference (ASpiH), 4–5 November 2024, Edinburgh.
Abdulmohdi, N., Edmonds, M., Meads, C., Prothero, L. and Shaw, S. (2024) 'The challenges, opportunities, and organisational readiness for simulation-based education in pre-registration nurse education', Association of Simulated Practice Learning Conference (ASpiH), 4-5 November 2024, Edinburgh. Available at: https://doi.org/10.54531/WNKP7178
Shaw, S., Edmonds, M., Meads, C., Abdulmohdi, N. and Prothero, L. (2024) 'Investigating nursing students’ experiences in simulated practice learning and academic staff’s role as practice supervisors: a case study', Association of Simulated Practice Learning Conference (ASpiH), 4-5 November 2024, Edinburgh. Available at: https://doi.org/10.54531/HFSI4589
Edmonds, M., Abdulmohdi, N., Meads, C., Prothero, L. and Shaw, S. (2024) 'Council of Deans for Health/HEE Simulation in Nursing Education Project: An evidence base for the future', UK Council of Deans for Health Spring Conference, 23 April 2024, London.
Edmonds, M., Abdulmohdi, N., Prothero, L., Shaw, S. and Meads, C. (2024) 'NHS England Senior Management Team and Council of Deans for Health/HEE Simulation in Nursing Education Project: An evidence base for the future', webinar, 1 March 2024.
Edmonds, M., Abdulmohdi, N., Shaw, S., Prothero, L. and Meads, C. (2024) 'Results of the simulation-based education in the UK Schools of Nursing: mixed methods study', The UK Council of Deans for Health, 8 February 2024, webinar.
Senior Lecturer
Deputy Dean in Practice Learning and Simulation
Senior Research Fellow
Associate Professor, Digital Innovation in Nursing