Do you want to play? Factors influencing nurse academics' adoption of simulation in their teaching practices

Simulation based education (SBE) in healthcare is gaining popularity. It provides an opportunity for students to acquire and practice clinical skills in a safe and controlled environment and is also a potential solution to alleviating the increasing pressure on clinical placement availability. While there is growing evidence of the value of simulation to learners there is little understanding of the factors that influence academics attitudes towards and choices about the use simulation. Through an exploratory research design using semi-structured interviews, nurse academics' opinions, experiences and attitudes regarding simulation were captured. Thematic analysis was conducted utilising a cross comparative approach. Three themes Simulation as a Separate Entity; Getting Political, and Academic Adaptation were identified. These themes were then explored through the five essential characteristics of innovation identified in the persuasion phase of Roger's Diffusion of Innovation Model (1995). The findings indicated that in order to successfully integrate simulation into a university curriculum, the factors influencing nurse academics' attitudes and choices around simulation must be understood and addressed to avoid fragmentation of teaching and learning and to support strong learning outcomes.