Healthcare organizations continue to face significant workforce challenges. Perioperative leaders must recruit and onboard new team members faster, standardize competency across diverse experience levels, reduce the burden on preceptors, and provide continuing education that supports lifelong professional development, all while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety.
PeriopSim is now designed to support the entire perioperative learning journey—from orientation to CNOR renewal—through immersive surgical simulation and real-time competency assessment. With the release of PeriopSim 2026.01, the platform takes a giant step forward by adding ANCC-accredited Simulations, specialty packages, learner recognition, and streamlined administration—all within one best-in-class OR simulation platform.
A Platform That Grows with Your Learners, Transforming Anxiety to Confidence
The operating room is a high-stakes environment where every moment counts. For many learners, stepping into the OR for the first time, or assisting with an unfamiliar surgical procedure, can be an anxious experience.
Whether used alongside AORN’s Periop 101® during orientation, as part of specialty training, or to support ongoing professional development, PeriopSim gives learners the opportunity to practice, make mistakes, and build familiarity in a safe, virtual environment to build their confidence before stepping into the OR.
The latest PeriopSim release is a major upgrade, introducing structured, completion-based learning packages that combine immersive simulation, competency assessment, ANCC-accredited Contact Hours, certificates, and digital badges into a cohesive learning experience.
As learners progress from orientation to cross-training and specialty practice, educators can deliver standardized training while assessing OR-readiness and documenting competency every step of the way.
Assign New ANCC-Accredited Simulations
PeriopSim 2026.01 introduces structured simulation packages aligned with the evolving needs of perioperative education. New offerings include:
- Orientation Simulations
- Pediatric Cardiac Simulations
- Cross-Training Simulation Packages at the 101, 201, and 301 level
- Dedicated learning Packages for Registered Nurses, Surgical Technologists, and Sterile Processing Technicians
Rather than assigning individual simulation experiences, educators can now enroll learners in Simulation Packages that support consistent skills development and measurable outcomes.
Earn ANCC Contact Hours While Building OR Competency
One of the most significant enhancements in PeriopSim 2026.01 is that our simulation-based education has been accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
RN learners can now earn ANCC-accredited Contact Hours and CCI continuing education points while completing immersive surgical simulations that reinforce:
- procedural steps instrumentation order
- anticipation of the surgeon
- instrumentation for passing/counting
- passing technique
- maintaining the sterile field
By solidifying foundational learning in a virtual environment, limited preceptor time can focus on building critical thinking.
For organizations pursuing Magnet Recognition® or supporting RN professional development, PeriopSim now integrates continuing education directly into simulation-based learning.
Demonstrate Competency with Certificates and Badges
Education leaders increasingly need objective, consistent ways to assess competency.
PeriopSim now awards downloadable Completion Certificates to learners who complete simulations to an assessed grade, providing documented evidence of success and demonstrated competency for specific procedures and instrumentation sets.
Digital achievement badges allow learners to celebrate milestones while encouraging engagement throughout the learning journey.
Support Lifelong Professional Development
Through a new partnership with the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI), eligible perioperative nurses can earn points toward CNOR® and Specialty Designation recertification requirements by completing PeriopSim Simulations.
Together with ANCC-accredited Contact Hours, these new capabilities reinforce a shared commitment to lifelong learning, professional development, and advancing perioperative excellence. Learn more.
Designed for Today’s Healthcare Organizations
Beyond supporting learners, PeriopSim continues to simplify the work of perioperative educators. New features in PeriopSim 2026.01 include:
- Enterprise Login using organizational credentials
- Simulation management and learner assignments
- Simulation completion tracking
- Real-time reporting dashboards
- Contact Hour packages
These capabilities help reduce the administrative workload while giving educators greater management and visibility into learner progress and competency development.
Trusted by Leading Healthcare Organizations
PeriopSim has been adopted by 5 of America’s 6 largest healthcare systems and has supported more than 10,000 learners through over 900,000 surgical simulation experiences.
Healthcare organizations use PeriopSim to:
- Accelerate orientation, with 6X faster simulation and assessment
- Standardize perioperative education across teams
- Build competency through deliberate, virtual practice
- Foster learner confidence before entering the operating room
- Support up-skilling and cross-training initiatives
- Reduce reliance on one-on-one preceptor time for foundational skill development
Curious to see what's new in PeriopSim 2026.01?
Whether you’re a health system looking to strengthen your perioperative education program or an educational institution preparing tomorrow’s surgical workforce, PeriopSim helps learners build competence and confidence through immersive simulation.
Request a personalized demonstration or schedule a FREE one-week VR Trial Kit to experience the latest generation of perioperative simulation and assessment.
