Assessment of Nurse Educators’ Competence in Clinical Simulation Teaching at Niger State College of Nursing

Background: Clinical simulation has become a globally endorsed pedagogical strategy for nursing education, allowing safe skill acquisition outside direct patient care. Nurse educators' competence in facilitating simulation is critical to its effectiveness. Aim: This study assessed nurse educators' competence in clinical simulation teaching at Niger State College of Nursing, North Central Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey recruited 45 nurse educators through total enumeration. The Simulation Design Scale and a researcher-developed facilitator competence tool were administered. Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests were used. Results: Only 38% of nurse educators demonstrated high competence in simulation facilitation, with the most pronounced deficits in debriefing technique and scenario construction. Educators who had attended simulation facilitator workshops showed significantly higher competence. Most facilities lacked high-fidelity simulation equipment. Conclusion: Nurse educator competence in simulation teaching is critically insufficient. Prioritised investment in simulation equipment, facilitator training workshops, and simulation curriculum integration are urgently recommended to modernise nursing education delivery in Nigeria. Keywords: simulation, nurse educators, clinical teaching, Niger State, competence.