Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review nursing studies with regard to simulation- based learning in Korea. Methods: This systematic review examines the literature on simulation in nursing education from 2003 to 2012. The electronic databases reviewed included: RISS, the National Assembly Library, the National Library of Korea, and major nursing journal databases in Korea. The MeSH search terms included nursing, simulation, simulator, and standardized patient. Results: In total, 52 studies were included in the literature review. We included 21 quasi-experimental studies and 25 studies using high-fidelity simulation. They included knowledge and problem-solving ability in the cognitive domain; self efficacy, learning satisfaction, interpersonal relationships and communication, and confidence in the affective domain; and clinical performance ability and learning performance evaluation in the psychomotor domain. This systematic literature review revealed that simulation is useful in nursing education but uncovered a gap in the literature pertaining to the transfer of knowledge to performance and how to learn from cognitive reflection. Conclusions: This result suggests that it is necessary to conduct additional research on the cognitive learning process and transition to performance.