Mastering the CHSE Exam

Simulation is more than hands-on practice—it’s a movement built on professional growth, standards, and community. One of the most impactful ways simulationists can advance their careers is by earning the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) credential. On a recent episode of Simulation Nation, Avkin CEO Amy Cowperthwait sat down with Elizabeth Horsley, a veteran nurse educator and simulation innovator, to talk about how to prepare for the CHSE exam, overcome test anxiety, and embrace certification as a path to professional confidence and credibility.

When the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) first introduced the CHSE exam in 2012, it aimed to recognize educators who demonstrate excellence in simulation practice. Since then, it’s become the global benchmark for simulation education expertise.

“Being certified proves you have this special set of skills,” Horsley shared. “It’s about showing you’re competent in both the art and science of simulation.”

Elizabeth and Amy discussed how certification validates simulation as a recognized professional discipline, not just a teaching technique. For years, simulationists had to fight for institutional buy-in, but the tide is turning. States like Washington are beginning to require CHSE-certified educators for simulation center accreditation — a trend likely to spread nationwide.

“Don’t wait until you’re required to have it,” Cowperthwait urged. “Go take it now. It’s not as scary as you think.”

Affordable Ways to Prepare

One of the biggest myths surrounding certification is that it’s expensive or inaccessible. Horsley dispelled that notion quickly.

“There are so many free and low-cost resources,” she said. “If you go to the SSH website, everything you need is right there.”

Start with these essentials:

• SSH’s CHSE Blueprint: Print it, highlight it, live by it. It breaks down exam domains and what to study.

• SimConnect Community Forums: Connect with others studying for the exam; find study groups and shared resources.

• Textbooks like “Defining Excellence in Simulation” and Linda Wilson’s CHSE Review Book (2nd Edition).

• Practice Exams: Offered through SSH for a small fee, but worth it for gauging readiness.

You can also take review courses, Horsley herself has led many, but as she and Cowperthwait both emphasized, “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to pass.”

What to Expect (and What Not to Fear)

The CHSE exam covers four domains:

1. Professional Values and Capabilities (20%)

2. Healthcare Simulation Knowledge and Practice (28%)

3. Educational Principles (40%)

4. Resources and Environments (12%)

That breakdown makes one thing clear:  this is not just a test of knowledge, but of application.

Expect scenario-based questions that test how you would respond in real-world simulation situations.

“Don’t answer from your personal setup,” Horsley advised. “You might have a 400-square-foot lab with no debriefing room, but the best-practice answer assumes you have ideal conditions.”

She also recommends mastering:

• Kolb’s Learning Theory

• Kern’s Curriculum Development Model

• Miller’s Pyramid

• Kirkpatrick’s Evaluation Levels

• Principles of debriefing and fidelity

Her biggest tip? “Get out of your own box. The exam isn’t about your job, it’s about the standards.”

Both Amy and Elizabeth agree — earning certification transforms more than just your résumé.

“It gave me the confidence to walk into leadership meetings and say, ‘We’re not following best practices here,’” said Cowperthwait. “It shifts how you see yourself — you become the simulation expert in your institution.”

And for Horsley, that’s the whole point:

“I want people to know they’re not alone. There’s a whole community ready to help you succeed.”

Whether you work in academia or clinical simulation, this certification isn’t just about passing a test — it’s about joining a global network of educators committed to safer, more effective healthcare training.

If you’ve been thinking about certification, let this be your sign.

• Visit the SSH website.

• Download the CHSE Blueprint.

• Join a study group.

• Apply.

As Horsley put it: “You know more than you think. Sit down, take the exam, and be proud of what you’ve built.”

The future of simulation depends on educators like you who are willing to grow, lead, and set the standard for excellence.

Ready to take your simulation program to the next level? Visit avkin.com to explore cutting-edge simulation technology, educator resources, and professional development opportunities and book a meeting if you have any questions about how Avkin can improve your simulation center.

Be sure to tune in to the Simulation Nation Podcast for inspiring conversations with leaders who are shaping the future of healthcare education.