SEATTLE — Feb. 6, 2026 — The University of Washington School of Nursing Simulation Center has earned the INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement™, awarded to programs that demonstrate excellence in evidence-based healthcare simulation education.
Granted by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), the endorsement recognizes simulation programs that consistently apply the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice®—a nationally recognized framework that guides simulation design in preparation and briefing, facilitation, professional integrity, and debriefing.
For UW Nursing, the endorsement affirms the central role simulation plays in preparing nurses to meet the realities of modern healthcare practice.
“High-quality simulation is essential to how we prepare nurses who are ready to lead in complex clinical environments,” said Executive Dean Hilaire Thompson. “This recognition reflects the expertise of our Simulation Center team and our responsibility to uphold the highest standards in nursing education.”
Preparing Nurses for Real-World Care
The UW School of Nursing Simulation Center supports learners across undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs. Through immersive, learner-centered simulation experiences, students develop clinical judgment, teamwork, communication skills, and confidence in a safe and supportive environment—before entering real clinical settings.
Simulation scenarios are intentionally designed and grounded in evidence-based practices, allowing students to practice high-stakes decision-making, reflect during structured debriefings, and learn from both success and failure without risk to patients.
“This endorsement affirms the rigor and intention behind every simulation experience we design and facilitate,” said Dr. Nicola Contreras, Director of the Simulation Center. “From prebriefing to debriefing, our work is focused on building clinical judgment, confidence, and readiness that directly translates to patient care.”
A National Mark of Excellence
Earning the INACSL endorsement places the UW School of Nursing Simulation Center among a select group of programs recognized for excellence in healthcare simulation. It also reinforces UW Nursing’s leadership as a top-ranked nursing school committed to innovation, continuous improvement, and patient safety.
The Simulation Center will be formally recognized at the INASL Conference in June, where endorsed institutions are celebrated for their contributions to advancing simulation education.
As UW Nursing celebrates the 55th year of educating nurse practitioners, this recognition reflects both a strong foundation and a forward-looking commitment to preparing nurses and advanced practice nurses who will advance health equity, quality, and safety across Washington state and beyond.
Learn more about the UW School of Nursing Simulation Center: