Services

Education & More

WSSA: for Educators, Nurses, Healthcare Organizations & Industry Partners

Welcome to the Western States Simulation Alliance.

As an alliance organization, we view our role as a bridge between educators, students, sponsoring organizations and our industry partners. Each of these constituencies benefits when we work together to provide high-quality simulation education to practitioners.

Our Vision: Strengthening the healthcare workforce through high-quality simulation .

Our Mission:  To strengthen expertise in simulation and advocate for simulation policy through interprofessional education, collaboration, and evidence-based practice. 

We provide educational courses that are preparatory for the Society for Simulation in Healthcare’s certifications. Our services also include access to our over 100 simulation scenarios, discounts to our courses and consultative services for new and existing simulation programs.

WSSA Education Program

 

The Western States Simulation Alliance is a leader in faculty development for simulation educators, having trained over 2,500 simulation faculty. WSSA courses have an interprofessional focus and are designed for all levels. Following principles of adult learning, all courses are interactive and immersive in nature and support transition of the learner from novice to expert. The WSSA courses are preparatory for the Certification as Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) endorsed by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Check our Courses page for course descriptions, course dates and registration information.

If you’re new to simulation, the WSSA is the perfect place to begin. We provide the training, community, and the mentorship you need to succeed in the field. 

Your Plan of Action

1. Assess Your Learning Needs. Begin by completing a learning needs assessment, such as the Simulation Educator Needs Assessment Tool. This tool will help you identify your current level of simulation knowledge and areas for growth.
2. Start with WSSA Courses. Enroll in our Level I or Level II courses to build a strong foundation in simulation facilitation, debriefing, and operations. Each course aligns with national standards and is facilitated by nationally certified simulation faculty committed to your professional growth.
3. Observe and Apply. Participate in WSSA workshops or partner events to observe best practices in action. Then, apply what you learn in your own teaching or clinical setting.
4. Join a Regional Collaborative. Connect with the leaders of a WSSA regional collaborative near you for peer support, mentorship, and shared resources.
5. Advance Your Expertise. Explore advanced offerings such as our Level III specialty courses and certificate pathways to deepen your expertise and work towards professional certification (e.g., CHSE® or CHSOS®).

If you have any questions or are interested in the WSSA coming to your school or hospital, contact Alexandra Duke at (424) 422-5903 or alexandra@healthimpact.org.

WSSA Mentor Program

The WSSA is offering a structured support program to healthcare faculty who are engaged in simulation education.  This program is designed to extend the learning experience for faculty by pairing individual learners with experienced WSSA instructors.  This approach is supported by recent evidence from the National Council on State Board of Nursing (NCSBN) study results and the National League of Nursing (NLN) Simulation Innovation Resource Center (SIRC) Faculty Development Toolkit.  This program works to facilitate the growth of simulation faculty from Novice to Competent instructors in alignment with the Benner theoretical model utilized by the WSSA.

Program Details:

A complimentary evaluation of individual needs will be conducted by the WSSA faculty including:

  • Prioritization of learning needs
  • Proposed length of time for mentoring
  • Proposed number of hours

Each learner will be presented with a mentoring package to include:

  • Time period for mentoring
  • Total number of hours
  • Assigned Mentor

NOTE: 

  • The minimum number of hours for mentoring is 5 hours
  • Initial mentoring session is generally 30 minutes
  • The time for each session is negotiated between the mentor and the mentee (learner)

Cost:

  • CSA Members: $100/hour; Non-CSA Members: $125/hour
  • Minimum: 5 hours with each hour after this at the hourly rate
  • Packages of 20 hours will be discounted by 5%

WSSA Consulting Program

 More information coming soon.

WSSA Policy Program

 More information coming soon.

WSSA Research Program

 More information coming soon.