International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning

What International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning does

International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) is a private nonprofit professional membership association headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to advancing the science of healthcare simulation. The organization serves approximately 3,000 individual members worldwide — primarily simulationists, nursing and allied health educators, and healthcare institutions — through a portfolio of educational resources, certification programs, a peer-reviewed journal, and an annual conference. Its central intellectual asset is the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (HSSOBP), a trademarked framework covering Prebriefing, Facilitation, Professional Integrity, Debriefing, and six advanced domains; the framework is published in multiple languages and underpins the institutional Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement program.

INACSL delivers content through the INACSL Center for Learning, a learning management system (LMS) hosted at learning.inacsl.org and built on a MemberClicks membership infrastructure. The product catalog includes self-paced online courses and bundles (Cornerstones of Best Practice at $500-$650 and Advanced Standards at $750-$975, with CNE credits), live and recorded webinars via Zoom, the Let's Talk SIM podcast, and the Clinical Simulation in Nursing peer-reviewed journal. Community engagement is sustained through Special Interest Groups, Regional Interest Groups, committees, and the annual INACSL conference.

The association operates a community-led, subscription- and event-driven revenue model combining recurring membership dues (Individual, Retired, Student, Institutional, Associate tiers), one-time course and bundle purchases, conference registration fees, and institutional endorsement fees. Distribution is global via the LMS and digital channels, with regional outreach through RIGs and affiliate organizations such as CAN-Sim. Marketing spans the association's website, email, social media, podcast, and the annual conference. INACSL has no public ticker, no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and no disclosed employee headcount, consistent with a lean nonprofit operating model.

Name

International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning

Legal name

International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning

Website

https://inacsl.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) is a Chicago-based nonprofit professional association serving 3,000+ simulationists and healthcare institutions worldwide through trademarked simulation standards, certification/endorsement programs, an LMS, a peer-reviewed journal, and an annual conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Simulation Professional Association

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Clinical Simulation (Surgery, Nursing, EMT, Patient Interaction) (EDAFAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Healthcare & Medical Licensure Exam Prep (USMLE/COMLEX, NCLEX, Dentistry, Pharmacy, PA) (EDANAIAA)

Keywords

• Healthcare simulation standards
• Nursing simulation education
• Clinical simulation training
• Continuing nursing education
• Simulation professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from individual members, retired members, students, institutional contacts, and associate contacts. Provides access to member-exclusive webinars, resources, and benefits.
2. Educational Programs and Courses: Revenue from selling online courses, course bundles, and recorded webinars. Includes Cornerstones of Best Practice courses and Advanced Standards courses with tiered pricing for members vs non-members.
3. Annual Conference: INACSL26 and future annual conferences generate revenue through registration fees. The leading forum for simulationists, researchers, and solution providers.
4. Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement: Program that recognizes healthcare institutions demonstrating excellence in applying simulation standards. Provides endorsement recognition for a fee.
5. Webinar Registration: Some webinars are free for members while non-members and prospects may pay registration fees. Some live webinars are free while recorded versions may have associated costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

INACSL is an international professional association that advances the science of healthcare simulation through membership, published standards, continuing education, and community programming. Its core deliverables are the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (HSSOBP) framework, an institutional Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement program, online CNE-accredited courses and webinars delivered through its Center for Learning LMS, the Clinical Simulation in Nursing peer-reviewed journal, and the annual INACSL26 conference serving simulationists, educators, and researchers worldwide.

Product overview

INACSL operates a comprehensive educational portfolio centered on its Center for Learning LMS (learning.inacsl.org), which delivers online courses, webinars, and certification programs. The core offerings include the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice framework with two certification tiers: the foundational Cornerstones of Best Practice bundle (Prebriefing, Facilitation, Debriefing, Professional Integrity - 4 CNE credits) and the Advanced Standards bundle (Simulation Design, Operations, Outcomes and Objectives, Evaluation of Learning and Performance, Simulation-Enhanced Interprofessional Education, Professional Development - 6 CNE credits). Supporting these are the Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement program for institutional recognition, the Clinical Simulation in Nursing peer-reviewed journal, and the annual INACSL26 conference. The organization also provides standards translations in multiple languages, the Healthcare Simulation Dictionary, Repository of Instruments, and HomeGrown Solutions community resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• INACSL Center for Learning An online Learning Management System (learning.inacsl.org) hosting live webinars, recorded webinars, self-paced courses, course bundles, and certification-related modules with CNE credit tracking for individual simulationists and members.
• Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (HSSOBP) INACSL's foundational standards framework covering Prebriefing, Facilitation, Professional Integrity, Debriefing, and advanced standards in Simulation Design, Operations, Professional Development, Outcomes and Objectives, Evaluation of Learning and Performance, and Simulation-Enhanced Interprofessional Education, published in multiple languages and serving as the basis for the endorsement program.
• Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement An institutional recognition program that identifies healthcare institutions and practices demonstrating excellence in applying all four Cornerstones of Best Practice (Prebriefing, Facilitation, Professional Integrity, Debriefing); institutions pay a fee to apply and receive endorsement.
• Cornerstones of Best Practice Course Bundle A bundle of four self-paced online modules (Prebriefing, Facilitation, Debriefing, Professional Integrity) awarding 4.0 CNE credits, required for the Core Four Endorsement, sold at member and non-member price tiers.
• Advanced Standards of Best Practice Course Bundle A bundle of six self-paced modules covering Simulation Design, Simulation-Enhanced Interprofessional Education, Professional Development, Operations, Outcomes and Objectives, and Evaluation of Learning and Performance, awarding 6.0 CNE credits at member and non-member pricing.
• Clinical Simulation in Nursing Journal INACSL's official international peer-reviewed journal, published online monthly, disseminating research and best practices in healthcare simulation.
• INACSL26 Annual Conference INACSL's annual conference held June 10-13, 2026 in Oklahoma City, OK, serving as the leading forum for simulationists, researchers, and solution providers; generates revenue through registration fees.
• INACSL Membership Tiered annual memberships (Individual, Individual Lifetime, Retired, Student, Institutional Contact, Associate Contact) granting access to member-exclusive webinars, course discounts, SIGs/RIGs participation, and other benefits.
• Let's Talk SIM Podcast An audio podcast series discussing simulation in healthcare education and practice, supporting professional development and community engagement.
• Healthcare Simulation Week A week-long industry event scheduled September 14-18, 2026 that celebrates and advances healthcare simulation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement recognizes institutions demonstrating excellence in applying INACSL standards.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• MemberClickscoreTechnology or IntegrationMemberClicks provides web hosting services and membership database management for INACSL. Located at 3495 Piedmont Rd NE Building 11 Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30305. INACSL shares member data with MemberClicks for membership services and website functionality.
• ZoomcoreTechnology or IntegrationINACSL uses Zoom as their primary platform for live webinar delivery, with webinar registration handled through their LMS and event management systems.
• CAN-Sim (Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators using Simulation)Strategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on shared resources including virtual simulation games and educational content. INACSL features CAN-Sim resources in their educational offerings, specifically in the COVID-19 Webinar Package.
• Affiliate OrganizationsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of affiliate organizations collaborating in the healthcare simulation field. Listed on the INACSL Affiliate Organizations page.
• Conference Exhibitors, Sponsors, and AdvertisersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partners who exhibit, sponsor, or advertise at INACSL conferences and events. May receive membership lists or event attendance lists including names, addresses, and email addresses.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CAE Healthcare: CAE Healthcare is a major commercial provider of simulation products and training services to healthcare institutions. Comparable to INACSL because CAE's customer base overlaps directly with INACSL's institutional Endorsement audience, and CAE often sponsors INACSL events.
• Laerdal Medical: Laerdal is the dominant commercial vendor of simulation manikins and equipment and is a frequent sponsor and exhibitor at INACSL events. It is comparable because it shapes the same simulation market — purchasing decisions by the institutions INACSL certifies through Endorsement.
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN): AACN represents U.S. nursing schools and influences curriculum standards, including simulation requirements. It is comparable to INACSL because nursing schools that adopt INACSL standards typically do so within an AACN-aligned curriculum framework, putting the two organizations in an adjacent governance relationship.
• National League for Nursing (NLN): NLN is the established broad-scope professional association for nurse educators, offering simulation resources, certifications, and accreditation services. It competes with INACSL for nursing faculty members' continuing-education and professional-development spend, but serves a much wider nursing-education mandate.

Emerging players

• SimGHOSTS: SimGHOSTS focuses on simulation technology specialists and operations staff. It is comparable to INACSL as a niche professional community in healthcare simulation, with overlapping audience (simulation program operations), though specialized toward technology rather than pedagogy.
• HealthySimulation.com: HealthySimulation.com is a media and resource platform serving the healthcare simulation community with articles, webinars, and product directories. It competes with INACSL for content distribution and thought leadership in the simulationist audience, though it operates without paid membership.

Regional players

• Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators using Simulation (CAN-Sim): CAN-Sim is a Canadian nurse-educator simulation alliance that, per INACSL's own partnership data, co-develops virtual simulation games and COVID-19 educational content with INACSL. It is a comparable peer in nursing simulation pedagogy, primarily serving Canadian institutions.

Direct peers

• Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH): SSH is the larger, multi-disciplinary healthcare simulation society and runs the IMSH conference and Simulation in Healthcare journal. It overlaps directly with INACSL on simulation standards, accreditation, and continuing education for healthcare simulationists, though it covers a broader clinical scope beyond nursing.
• International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE): IAMSE is a professional association for health professions educators with similar membership, conference, and continuing-education structures. It is comparable to INACSL because it serves an adjacent clinical-education niche with similar revenue models (dues, courses, conference).
• Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE): ASPE is the standards-setting body for standardized patient methodology used in healthcare simulation. Like INACSL, it publishes best-practice standards, runs an annual conference, and certifies simulation programs, making it a direct competitor for simulationist mindshare in the methodology overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/INACSL
• Facebookfacebook.com/INACSL-198002380250796
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-nursing-association-for-clinical-simulation-and-learning
• Instagraminstagram.com/inacsl_hq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning