​​​By: Sydney Fair, Communications Advisor at the Hospital for Sick Children

SimKIDS, the Simulation Program within the Learning Institute at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), is revolutionizing health care education by bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world practice. Through hands-on, simulation-based training, SimKIDS equips health care professionals with the skills and confidence to deliver safe, high-quality care.

SimKIDS transforms health care education by bridging theory and practice. Collaborating with partners like Nursing and Interprofessional Education, Professional Services Educators, Paediatric Residency, the Resuscitation Oversight Committee, and various medical educators, SimKIDS develops tailored training that meets diverse learning needs ensuring every simulation prepares clinicians to provide optimal care to patients and families.

With over 31,000 learner hours across 692 simulation sessions in 2023-2024, SimKIDS exemplifies the hospital's dedication to developing confident and capable health care professionals.

The program supported 6,870 learners last year, including:

• 59% Staff (4,063 learners)
• 34% Students and Trainees (2,306 learners)
• 7% External Participants (501 learners)

The sessions spanned diverse roles, including nursing, respiratory therapy, physicians and various interprofessional teams, emphasizing the breadth of educational outreach.

Key programs that showcase SimKIDS' dedication to cultivating a culture of continuous learning from students, pre-licensure, early career and beyond include:

Student Placements: Respiratory Therapy

SickKids offers paediatric and neonatal clinical placements for Respiratory Therapy students from Canadore College, St. Clair College, and The Michener Institute, combining intensive care training with high-fidelity simulations through SimKIDS. These sessions enable students to practice skills, think critically, and respond to patient scenarios in a realistic, risk-free environment.

Clinical Extern Training

The Clinical Extern Program prepares pre-licensure students for real-world paediatric care through comprehensive orientation and simulation. Participants from diverse health care backgrounds engage in four scenario-based simulations tailored to different paediatric age groups.

Learning objectives include child and family-centered care, closed-loop communication, and paediatric assessment skills. This hands-on experience builds competence and confidence, easing the transition to professional roles.

Paediatric Nursing Orientation (PNO)

PNO is a key component of nursing education at SickKids, offering a competency-based curriculum with hands-on training, simulations, and an infection prevention and occupational health escape room. Held four times a year, it prepares approximately 280 new nurses annually to deliver specialized, family-centered paediatric care, ensuring a seamless transition into the hospital.

Critical Care RN Residency Program

The Critical Care New Graduate Nurse Residency Program addresses critical care nursing shortages by transitioning new nurses into the Paediatric and Cardiac Intensive Care Units through a year-long program. Simulation-based education helps participants practice advanced skills, boosting their confidence and readiness for critical care roles.

Resuscitation Team Training

Interprofessional training for front-line staff and code blue team members emphasizes psychological safety, system-level understanding, and effective communication. Simulation scenarios promote collaboration, focusing on crisis management and role clarity, while debriefings drive continuous improvement, ensuring teams are prepared for real-life emergencies.

Biannual Education Days for Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory therapists at SickKids participate in dedicated Biannual Education Days, refining their skills in critical procedures like airway management and ventilation strategies. Feedback highlights the value of these sessions, where staff can focus on professional growth in a psychologically safe space.

Simulation-based education is indispensable in modern health care training. It allows learners to build practical skills, develop critical thinking, and enhance teamwork within a psychologically safe, controlled environment. Mistakes made in simulation offer invaluable lessons without risk to patients, fostering confidence and competence in health care professionals.

As the Director of the Simulation Program, Emily Louca, explains, "At SickKids, we believe that simulation is more than a teaching tool—it's a transformative methodology that bridges the gap between knowledge and practice. By recreating the complexities of paediatric care in a safe, immersive environment, SimKIDS empowers health care professionals to build the confidence, competence, and interprofessional collaboration needed to deliver exceptional care to children and their families."

SimKIDS continues to support the development of health care professionals across diverse roles, including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, allied health and interprofessional teams. By continuously investing in simulation-based training, SimKIDS is not only preparing health care providers for today's challenges but also paving the way for advancements that will transform health care delivery worldwide.

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