Text by Charmaine Lingdas
Photos by Jericho Mabansag

Thirty-seven faculty members from various nursing education institutions in the country took a deep dive into the theory, practice, and different modalities of simulation-based education (SBE) during the inaugural Foundations of Simulation-Based Education workshop on Jan. 7 to 9, 2026 organized by the University of the Philippines College of Nursing (UPCN) . 

Designed as a three-day intensive program, the workshop addressed a growing need for structured, competency-based simulation in nursing education, equipping participants with the skills to design, implement, and evaluate simulation activities that mirror real-world clinical practice.

“Simulation offers us a new perspective on how we can enhance the confidence of our students,” said UPCN Dean Sheila Bonito. It is not the presence of simulation technology alone that matters, but how it is adopted and integrated into course offerings, she said, adding that “the use of technology can only be as good as how we design it within our own context.” 

The three-day training program is grounded in the college’s own experience and enriched by international collaborations, particularly with the University of Adelaide in Australia, in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as well as the National University of Singapore and SingHealth. Participants of the program hailed from University of the Cordilleras, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Bicol University, St. Paul University Iloilo, Davao Oriental State University, Mindanao State University, and Western Mindanao State University, among others.

Simulation-Based Education

“The commitment to hold training programs is definitely part of the public service agenda of the College of Nursing,” said Prof. Jenniffer Paguio, head of UPCN’s Continuing Education and Community Extension Services Program. “We have a 2020 to 2025 public service agenda, and one of the programs under that agenda is simulation-based education.”

While UPCN has been using simulation in nursing education since 2013, Prof. Paguio noted that institutional capacity significantly expanded in 2022 through the CHED-LAKAS (Leading the Advancement of Knowledge in Agriculture and Sciences) program, which provided funding for equipment and faculty training to UP Manila and partner state universities.

One of the commitments under the CHED-LAKAS initiative was the development of a formal training design for simulation-based education. According to Prof. Paguio, the SBE workshop is a direct product of that commitment.

She emphasized that the succeeding Foundations of Simulation-Based Education workshop offerings will be available under CHED-HUSAY (Higher Education Upskilling and Study for Advancement of Staff and Faculty) funding, with sessions scheduled in May, August, and November. The training is supported by CHED and UP Manila’s BioHealth Education and Artificial Intelligence-enabled through Capacity-building, Optimization, and Innovation (BEACON) project.

A Glimpse Into the SBE Program

The three-day workshop combined lectures and hands-on activities, with participants spending up to 12 hours designing, planning, and implementing simulation scenarios using UPCN facilities.

On the first day, the participants explored the foundations of simulation in nursing education, including theoretical frameworks, competency-based learning, and various simulation modalities, from task trainers and high-fidelity mannequins to standardized patients and virtual simulations. Participants engaged directly with equipment and environments to assess their readiness as facilitators, debriefers, scenario developers, and assessors.

The following day focused on scenario design, guiding faculty in crafting simulations aligned with learning objectives and nursing competencies. Participants progressed from writing measurable objectives to drafting and refining simulation plans for their own courses.

The final day emphasized learner assessment and curriculum integration. Faculty teams selected appropriate assessment tools and rubrics, conducted peer-led simulation run-throughs, and received structured feedback, culminating in finalized simulation plans ready for classroom implementation.

Building Competence Among Faculty Members

The program’s main goal is to strengthen faculty confidence and competence in using simulation as a teaching strategy. Taking note of the reality that not all schools may have high-fidelity mannequins, Prof. Paguio said simulation is a teaching method that is enhanced that can be effectively enhanced through creativity, even in the absence of expensive equipment. 

“Many schools especially in geographically isolated areas may lack high-fidelity mannequins. We are returning to the fundamentals and showing how to maximize what you already have,” Paguio emphasized.

She said the SBE program is designed to support schools with limited resources. Even if a school has only one high-fidelity mannequin, its faculty can still maximize its use but that requires skilled and capable instructors. Investing in equipment alone is not enough without investing in the faculty who use it.

Need to Invest in Human Resources

Simulation technicians (SimTechs) are crucial in supporting the success of simulation-based education (SBE). SimTechs manage high-fidelity equipment and handle low-tech applications, such as creating moulage (French word for “molding.” It is the art of creating simulated injuries for the purpose of training medical personnel),  makeup effects, and paper dolls used in visually enhanced medical or mental simulations.

“We need to invest in human resources,” Prof. Paguio emphasized. “First, we must invest in the capability of the faculty, and second, we need SimTechs. Without skilled personnel, even the best equipment cannot reach its full potential.”

Aside from Prof. Paguio, the training program was also spearheaded by Asst. Prof. Arnold Peralta, Asst. Prof. Aldin Gaspar, Asst. Prof. Kenny-lynn Baccay, Asst. Prof. Aprille Banayat and Asst. Prof. Alexandra Belle Bernal. The Foundations of Simulation-Based Education workshop was supported by Mary Joy Tiamzon, Roselle Del Carmel, Maria Lapaz Dumlao, Carmen Galero, and Danilo Pacunla.

Read More:

#FP1 #AccessibleUPLeadership