Simulation Nurse Educator RN Specialist

About the Role

Saint Mary’s College of California is seeking a Simulation Nurse Educator Specialist, a senior professional staff position responsible for the design, operation, coordination, and continuous improvement of simulation-based nursing education within the Pre-Licensure BSN Program.

Responsibilities

• Design, operate, and continuously improve simulation-based nursing education within the Pre-Licensure BSN Program.
• Serve as the primary architect and steward of the BSN Program’s simulation curriculum, designing and maintaining a comprehensive scenario library.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate high-fidelity simulation experiences, including scenario design, confederate preparation, debriefing facilitation, and integration of student performance assessment.
• Develop and implement simulation assessment rubrics aligned with O’Rourke’s Professional Role Identity Formation (PRIF) Theory and the program’s student learning outcomes.
• Oversee simulation lab readiness, including manikin maintenance and programming, task trainer calibration, AV/debriefing system operation, supply management, and environmental setup.
• Maintain compliance with simulation safety standards, infection control protocols, and institutional risk management requirements.
• Collect, analyze, and report simulation program outcome data, student performance metrics, and quality improvement findings to the Director of Nursing.
• Lead continuous improvement cycles for simulation programming using structured outcome analysis, peer review, and evidence from the NLN Jeffries Simulation Theory and INACSL Standards of Best Practice.
• Develop and maintain the BSN Program’s simulation policy and procedure manual in alignment with BRN regulatory requirements and CCNE accreditation standards.
• Serve as a program liaison to clinical partner agencies, participating in clinical site visits, partner relationship management, and formal partnership reviews.
• Evaluate clinical environments for educational alignment with simulation objectives and identify clinical experiences that reinforce simulation-based learning.
• Identify, orient, and provide ongoing development to per-course faculty and clinical preceptors on simulation methodology, O’Rourke PRIF Theory, and BRN regulatory standards.
• Monitor and document student clinical hours and performance data in compliance with California BRN requirements and CCNE accreditation standards.
• Serve as a clinical instructor in area of BRN content approver expertise.
• Design and maintain simulation-integrated curricula, learning objectives, scenario scripts, debriefing guides, and assessment tools across the full program curriculum.
• Integrate O’Rourke’s PRIF Theory and the nine-step decision-making model as organizing frameworks for all simulation design and debriefing facilitation.
• Apply QSEN competencies, AACN Essentials, and specialty-specific clinical standards to ensure simulation experiences develop age-appropriate, evidence-based patient care skills.
• Lead instructional design for simulation using adult learning principles, developing blended-learning materials including pre-simulation preparation modules, case studies, and post-simulation reflection tools.
• Analyze ATI assessment data, course-level simulation outcomes, and student performance trends to drive continuous curriculum improvement.
• Engage in scholarly activities, including professional development, presentations, publications, and knowledge transfer within the nursing simulation and education community.
• Maintain content competence and clinical practice currency in assigned specialty area(s) per BRN regulations, including ongoing direct patient care as required by CCR Title 16.
• Interview and participate in the hiring of per-course instructors assigned to simulation-supported courses.
• Orient, mentor, and provide ongoing professional development to per-course instructors and simulation staff.
• Conduct structured observations of per-course instructors facilitating simulation and provide formative feedback aligned with program standards and CCNE Standard III criteria.
• Complete summative evaluations of per-course faculty assigned to simulation-supported sections.
• Ensure consistent application of program policies, grading standards, and student progression criteria across all simulation sections and clinical groups.
• Train per-course instructors in simulation equipment operation, debriefing methodology, and INACSL/NLN simulation facilitation standards.
• Maintain comprehensive course records, clinical placement documentation, student competency logs, and regulatory compliance files in accordance with BRN and CCNE requirements.
• Contribute to ongoing accreditation self-study preparation, program review processes, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in program-level committees, governance structures, and college-wide initiatives as assigned by the Director of Nursing.
• Collaborate with the Director of Nursing and program operations staff on budget planning, resource allocation, and operational reporting.
• Stay current in BRN approved Content Area and nursing practice, regulatory updates, and higher education trends through continuing education and professional engagement.
• Design, monitor, and implement a 3-year strategic plan in alignment with the nursing programs overall 3-year strategic plan.
• Collaborate with other course managers and clinical specialists to align curriculum and improve student learning and program outcomes.
• Maintain own BRN-required learning records on an annual basis in compliance with regulations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in nursing or related field required.
• Doctoral preparation in Nursing or related field preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience within clinical specialty within the last five years (Medical/Surgical) area and recency such that the candidate is eligible to be BRN approved within specialty.

Skills

• Ability to travel to clinical sites throughout the State of California.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent responsibilities across clinical and academic environments.
• Familiarity with NLN simulation standards, INACSL Standards of Best Practice, and the NLN Jeffries Simulation Theory.
• Experience with simulation-based nursing education and NLN simulation standards preferred.
• Familiarity with ATI platform, Canvas LMS, or comparable academic technology systems preferred.
• Experience with clinical partnership development, preceptor programs, or academic-practice collaboration preferred.
• Background in instructional design and blended or online learning environments preferred.
• Scholarly or professional activity in area of specialty preferred.
• Scholarly or professional activity in nursing simulation, nursing education, or clinical specialty area preferred.
• Familiarity with Dr. Maria O’Rourke’s Professional Role Identity Formation (PRIF) Theory preferred.

Licenses & Certifications

• Active, unrestricted California Registered Nurse license in good standing required.