The role of simulation in competency-based assessment

The drive to focus on student competency — both in teaching and assessment — is apparent at all levels of nursing education. Simulation is a powerful assessment tool when placed at the center of competency-based lesson plans, teaching methods, and assessments. This second session will focus on the application of best practices using simulation within competency-based assessments. Speakers will address the construction of assessment tools using AI specific to student evaluation using simulation within a competency-based framework and prompt engineering to ensure valid and effective assessment tools and progression indicators.

Following this session, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the role of simulation in both teaching and assessment within competency-based education.
2. Analyze select methods to use simulation to provide formative and summative evaluation while discussing the role of progression indicators.
3. Explore the construction of formative and summative evaluation methods using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to conduct simulation assessment within competency-based teaching/programming.

About the speaker:

Laura Klenke-Borgmann, PhD, RN, CHSE

Clinical Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Department Chair: Family, Community and Health Systems, University of Kansas School of Nursing

Dr. Klenke-Borgmann leads large-scale competency-based curricular transformation grounded in simulation science and experiential learning. As an academic leader and simulation scholar, she designs and implements comprehensive curriculum redesign aligned with national and international competency frameworks. Her work integrates SimZones, assessment science, and structured experiential learning to advance practice readiness. She specializes in translating competency standards into coherent curriculum architecture — aligning outcomes, learning experiences, assessment strategies, and faculty development to ensure sustainable implementation. She welcomes collaboration with institutions advancing simulation-informed, competency-based education across diverse global contexts.

Moderator:

Judith W. Herrman, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN

Senior Clinical Content Specialist - Nursing, Wolters Kluwer Health

Judith W. Herrman, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, is a registered nurse, educator, and researcher interested in teaching and learning across the lifespan, nursing education, and health promotion. Judy published over 100 publications and speaks nationally and internationally. As a Senior Clinical Content Specialist-Nursing with Wolters Kluwer, Judy works with nursing schools and customers to explore brain science and the biology of learning, active teaching strategies, and thought leadership. Judy published the fourth edition of Creative Teaching Strategies for the Nurse Educator in 2025.