Courses

Courses

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.

Questions?  Interested in WSSA coming to your school or hospital?  Contact:

Alexandra Duke, DNP, RN-BC, CEN, CHSE, CNE®cl, EBP-C
Director and Faculty
Telephone: (424) 422-5903
Email:  alexandra@healthimpact.org

New to WSSA Courses? Start Here.

The WSSA recommends if you are a novice simulationist that you take the following free course prior to enrolling in our courses:

“Essentials in Clinical Simulations Across Health Professions”LINK: https://www.coursera.org/learn/clinicalsimulations

About Our Partner, The Debriefing Academy

We partner with The Debriefing Academy for the delivery of our Debriefing courses. WSSA members receive a discount.

Interested in more courses from The Debriefing Academy?
Click HERE to see details for the Academy Archive offerings

 

Refund Policy. Please Read.

Courses may be cancelled by WSSA prior to the first day of class due to a variety of situations. Notice will be given as far in advance as possible. In cases where WSSA cancels a course, a full refund will be given back to the payor.

Participants may also cancel their registration prior to the start of the class and request a refund for courses they have paid for. Refunds will be processed in accordance with the following schedule:

  • Cancellation 14 days prior to the first day of class: 100% of the course fee will be refunded minus a $10 administrative fee
  • Cancellation fewer than 14 days before the first day of class or a no-show: No refund will be given.

By registering for WSSA courses, you agree to our refund policy.

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.

Below is a list of our courses, organized by where our students are in their simulation learning journey.  You’ll find course descriptions, upcoming dates, and registration links.

Just Starting Out
Getting the Hang of It
Top of Your Game
Courses Organized by Date

Just starting out:

Basic Simulation – Web-Based Course

Friday March 27, 2026
Virtual Course / 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Pacific
The Zoom Link will be provided 1 week prior
Cost: $1250 WSSA Subscribers; $1500 Non-Subscribers
REGISTER

7.5 CEs

This course is designed to engage the participants with an interest in simulation-based healthcare training with the basic concepts of simulation as an educational strategy. Using a combination of didactic, interactive, and immersive group work, the course provides the beginning simulation user with the basics of high-fidelity simulation, scenario development, debriefing strategies to facilitate learning and the effective use of the available technology. The course is designed to provide a network of support for the participants new to simulation through the vast resources in the Western States Simulation Alliance.

Read More

Basic Simulation – Web-Based Course

Friday – Saturday, June 19 & 20, 2026
Virtual Course / 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Pacific
The Zoom Link will be provided 1 week prior
Cost: $1250 WSSA Subscribers; $1500 Non-Subscribers
REGISTER

13 CEs

This course is designed to engage the participants with an interest in simulation-based healthcare training with the basic concepts of simulation as an educational strategy. Using a combination of didactic, interactive, and immersive group work, the course provides the beginning simulation user with the basics of high-fidelity simulation, scenario development, debriefing strategies to facilitate learning and the effective use of the available technology. The course is designed to provide a network of support for the participants new to simulation through the vast resources in the Western States Simulation Alliance.

Read More

Getting the hang of it:

Advanced Debriefing – Web-Based Course

Friday June 5, 2026
Virtual Course / 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Pacific
The Zoom Link will be provided 1 week prior
Cost: $1250 WSSA Subscribers; $1500 Non-Subscribers
REGISTER HERE


7.5 CEs
In this immersive workshop, the participant will build on skills learned in basic debriefing courses.  Employing the experiential learning framework and utilizing a series of video clips and “live” simulation experiences depicting common debriefing challenges, the participant will practice and receive feedback in order to expand competency in debriefing.

Read More

Simulation class

Foundations of Simulation Operations Practice 

August 27 & 28, 2026
Location: Irvine, CA
In-Person / 8:00 am – 3:30 pm (PST)
Cost: $1375 WSSA Subscribers; $1650 Non-Subscribers
REGISTRATION COMING SOON

13 CEs

This course is designed to develop simulation operations specialists into highly effective and knowledgeable team members.  The course includes simulation-specific technical information combined with a broad overview of medical conditions, trauma conditions, human body systems, and medical equipment information.  Additionally, simulation-specific content related to ethics, legal, regulatory, and inventory management concepts are included.  Learners complete ten hours of on-line Simulation Innovation Resource Center (SIRC) courses and a three-hour self-study manual before attending a two-day on-site training course.  Topics covered in the one-day training course include:

  • Role of the Operations Specialist
  • Technology in Simulation Operations
  • Troubleshooting and Maintenance
  • Audio-Visual Operations
  • Simulation Operations
  • Instructional Design & Research

Read More

2-Day Simulation Intensive – Web-Based Course

Friday & Saturday, November 5 & 6, 2026
Virtual Course / 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Pacific
The Zoom Link will be provided 1 week prior
Cost: $1375 WSSA Subscribers; $1650 Non-Subscribers
REGISTER

13 CEs

This course is a blend of both asynchronous and synchronous online learning that offers a jump-start into simulation-based health care education.  Participants will learn to apply best practices in high-fidelity simulation. Using a dual focus on academic and practice settings, key theoretical concepts and strategies will be explored to support health care educators in providing safe, effective learning environments. The basics of the WSSA Level 1 curriculum will be flexed to meet the needs of  the group, followed by Level 3 scenario development and debriefing  strategies.

Read More

Advanced Debriefing – Web-Based Course

Friday July 10, 2026
Virtual Course / 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Pacific
The Zoom Link will be provided 1 week prior
Cost: $1250 WSSA Subscribers; $1500 Non-Subscribers
REGISTER HERE


7.5 CEs
In this immersive workshop, the participant will build on skills learned in basic debriefing courses.  Employing the experiential learning framework and utilizing a series of video clips and “live” simulation experiences depicting common debriefing challenges, the participant will practice and receive feedback in order to expand competency in debriefing.

Read More

2-Day Simulation Intensive – Web-Based Course

Friday & Saturday, October 1 & 2, 2026
Virtual Course / 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Pacific
The Zoom Link will be provided 1 week prior
Cost: $1375 WSSA Subscribers; $1650 Non-Subscribers
REGISTER

13 CEs

This course is a blend of both asynchronous and synchronous online learning that offers a jump-start into simulation-based health care education.  Participants will learn to apply best practices in high-fidelity simulation. Using a dual focus on academic and practice settings, key theoretical concepts and strategies will be explored to support health care educators in providing safe, effective learning environments. The basics of the WSSA Level 1 curriculum will be flexed to meet the needs of  the group, followed by Level 3 scenario development and debriefing  strategies.

Read More

2-Day Simulation Intensive – In-Person Course

Date: Coming Soon!
Location: Portland, OR
In-Person / 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Pacific
Cost: $1375 WSSA Subscribers; $1650 Non-Subscribers
REGISTRATION OPENING SOON

13 CEs

This course is a blend of both asynchronous and synchronous online learning that offers a jump-start into simulation-based health care education.  Participants will learn to apply best practices in high-fidelity simulation. Using a dual focus on academic and practice settings, key theoretical concepts and strategies will be explored to support health care educators in providing safe, effective learning environments. The basics of the WSSA Level 1 curriculum will be flexed to meet the needs of  the group, followed by Level 3 scenario development and debriefing  strategies.

Read More

Top of your game:

Advanced Debriefing with Implicit Bias – Web-Based Course

Friday September 11, 2026
Virtual Course / 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Pacific
The Zoom Link will be provided 1 week prior
Cost: $1250 WSSA Subscribers; $1500 Non-Subscribers
REGISTER HERE


7.5 CEs
In this immersive workshop, the participant will build on skills learned in basic debriefing courses.  Employing the experiential learning framework and utilizing a series of video clips and “live” simulation experiences depicting common debriefing challenges, the participant will practice and receive feedback in order to expand competency in debriefing.

Read More

Debriefing with Implicit Bias – Web-Based Course 

Date: Coming Soon!
Web-Based / 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Pacific
The Zoom link will be provided 1 week prior
Cost: $1250 WSSA Subscribers; $1500 Non-Subscribers
REGISTRATION OPENING SOON

7.5 CEs

Course Description and Objectives

1. Identify and evaluate implicit bias in simulation scenarios

Participants will review and analyze existing simulation scenarios to identify elements of implicit bias and discuss strategies for mitigation.

2. Design evidence-based simulation scenarios that support learners in recognizing implicit bias and practicing mitigation strategies.

Participants will apply best practices in scenario design to develop learner-centered simulations that allow learners to explore implicit bias, encounter common stereotypes without reinforcing them, and practice strategies for bias mitigation.

3. Develop scaffolding strategies to support progressive skill and awareness development

Participants will structure learning experiences to promote gradual skill acquisition and reflection, aligning scenario complexity with learners’ developmental levels.

Read More

Debriefing with Implicit Bias – Web-Based Course 

Date: Coming Soon!
Web-Based / 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Pacific
The Zoom link will be provided 1 week prior
Cost: $1250 WSSA Subscribers; $1500 Non-Subscribers
REGISTRATION OPENING SOON

7.5 CEs

Course Description and Objectives

1. Identify and evaluate implicit bias in simulation scenarios

Participants will review and analyze existing simulation scenarios to identify elements of implicit bias and discuss strategies for mitigation.

2. Design evidence-based simulation scenarios that support learners in recognizing implicit bias and practicing mitigation strategies.

Participants will apply best practices in scenario design to develop learner-centered simulations that allow learners to explore implicit bias, encounter common stereotypes without reinforcing them, and practice strategies for bias mitigation.

3. Develop scaffolding strategies to support progressive skill and awareness development

Participants will structure learning experiences to promote gradual skill acquisition and reflection, aligning scenario complexity with learners’ developmental levels.

Read More