In this episode of Between 2 Simulators, Kendal Bailey, Director of Nursing at SimX, shares her inspiring journey from bedside nursing to leading innovation in healthcare simulation. Kendal discusses how SimX’s immersive VR platform enhances clinical training by promoting team-based learning, realistic scenarios, and educational equity. She emphasizes the importance of faculty development in ensuring successful adoption of simulation tools and highlights SimX’s role as a complement to traditional simulation methods. Kendal also reveals SimX’s future focus on AI-driven simulations to support institutions with limited faculty resources.
In this episode of Between 2 Simulators, Kendal Bailey, Director of Nursing at SimX, shares her inspiring journey from bedside nursing to leading innovation in healthcare simulation. Kendal discusses how SimX’s immersive VR platform enhances clinical training by promoting team-based learning, realistic scenarios, and educational equity. She emphasizes the importance of faculty development in ensuring successful adoption of simulation tools and highlights SimX’s role as a complement to traditional simulation methods. Kendal also reveals SimX’s future focus on AI-driven simulations to support institutions with limited faculty resources.
From Bedside Nurse to Simulation Leader
Kendal’s career began in traditional nursing, where her hands-on experience shaped her understanding of patient care. Despite her growing involvement in leadership roles, Kendal remained dedicated to her clinical roots.
“I’m still a nurse,” Kendal emphasized. “I still work bedside, and that’s an important part of my identity. Staying connected to patients ensures I understand the evolving challenges that healthcare professionals face.”
Her decision to transition into the simulation industry came from a desire to create a broader impact. While working as a Director of Professional Development for a hospital system, Kendal noticed a troubling trend:
“We were relying too heavily on computer-based education. It wasn’t effective, and our staff didn’t feel prepared or confident in their skills. Something had to change.”
Recognizing the need for a more impactful training method, Kendal explored simulation-based education. That’s when she discovered SimX.
Discovering SimX: A New Approach to Learning
Before joining SimX, Kendal implemented the platform at her hospital as a customer. Faced with limited resources, a small education team, and no dedicated simulation space, she saw SimX as a solution that offered flexibility and high-impact training.
“I didn’t have a storage room or a dedicated classroom,” she explained. “But SimX offered an immersive, effective solution that helped my staff gain both confidence and competence.”
Inspired by the platform’s results, Kendal conducted a research study to evaluate the impact of SimX on experienced nurses’ perceptions and skill development. The positive outcomes led her to develop a strong connection with the SimX team — a group of innovative clinicians and educators determined to revolutionize healthcare training.
“I knew this was where I could make a real difference,” she said. “By joining SimX, I could help other institutions overcome the same challenges I faced.”
What Sets SimX Apart?
Kendal credits SimX’s success to its realism, flexibility, and focus on teamwork. Founded over 13 years ago by healthcare providers, SimX was designed to address gaps in traditional simulation models.
Key Features That Distinguish SimX:
- Realistic, dynamic scenarios: SimX leverages immersive virtual reality to recreate complex medical scenarios that require critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Team-based learning: SimX emphasizes interprofessional education, allowing learners from different disciplines to practice teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills.
- Accessibility and equity: SimX’s VR-based platform eliminates the need for costly simulation labs, making high-quality training available to resource-limited institutions.
“Our mission is to ensure that healthcare professionals feel prepared to provide safe, effective care — no matter where they train,” Kendal explained.
Blending Virtual Reality with Curriculum Integration
One of the biggest challenges in adopting VR-based simulation is ensuring it’s successfully integrated into educational programs. SimX addresses this through customized integration support plans, tailored to the needs of each institution.
“We recognize that every institution is different,” Kendal said. “Some have sophisticated simulation centers, while others are just beginning their journey. Our approach is designed to meet institutions where they are and provide the resources they need to succeed.”
SimX’s comprehensive support system includes:
- Tiered integration plans for institutions with varying resources.
- Educational alignment with healthcare standards and competencies.
- Ongoing faculty guidance to ensure effective implementation and curriculum integration.
“Simulation is not just about putting on a headset,” Kendal emphasized. “It requires strategic planning, training, and support to create meaningful learning experiences.”
Complementing Traditional Simulation, Not Replacing It
Kendal is clear that SimX is not designed to replace traditional simulation methods — instead, it’s intended to complement them.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all solution in simulation,” she explained. “The magic happens when you combine different modalities to match your learners’ needs.”
SimX’s VR platform allows institutions to add immersive scenarios to their existing simulation programs, expanding learning opportunities without requiring costly physical equipment.
“We’re just another tool in the educator’s toolbox,” Kendal explained. “And when combined with other methods, we can achieve powerful results.”
Empowering Educators to Embrace Change
For Kendal, the key to ensuring simulation’s success is investing in faculty development.
“You can have the most advanced technology in the world, but without trained educators who know how to facilitate learning, you won’t see meaningful outcomes,” she said.
She emphasized the need for educators to feel confident in adapting VR tools like SimX. Her team actively works with faculty, offering personalized guidance and promoting best practices to ensure successful adoption.
“Faculty training isn’t optional — it’s essential,” Kendal stressed. “Without it, even the best simulation tools can fall short.”
Innovation and the Future of Simulation
Looking ahead, Kendal is excited about SimX’s plans to expand its offerings. She highlighted the growing role of AI-driven simulations, particularly for institutions with limited faculty resources.
“We know some institutions struggle to run moderated simulations due to staffing constraints,” Kendal said. “AI-driven experiences will allow learners to engage in meaningful training even without an instructor present.”
SimX is also investing heavily in improving representational fidelity, enhancing the visual realism and complexity of its clinical scenarios.
“We’re committed to constantly improving,” Kendal said. “Healthcare is always evolving, and we need to evolve with it.”
Final Thoughts: A Passionate Advocate for Better Learning
Throughout the interview, Kendal’s energy and passion for nursing and education were unmistakable. For her, innovation in healthcare simulation is more than just a professional pursuit — it’s a way to improve patient care on a broader scale.
“Every day I get to work with incredible educators, clinicians, and innovators who are dedicated to improving patient outcomes,” Kendal shared. “That’s what keeps me motivated — knowing that what we’re doing has a real impact.”
With her unwavering commitment to empowering educators and improving healthcare education, Kendal Bailey continues to drive meaningful change in the world of simulation — one immersive experience at a time.
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