A open laptop shows the new online version of Friday Night at the ER

The online version of Friday Night at the ER has arrived!

Adapted for online programs, vFNER delivers the same lessons and real-time team interaction as the tabletop version, but at a whole new level of accessibility and ease. All your learners need is a modern web browser and an internet connection to participate in online group learning programs.

vFNER has fresh new visuals, video orientations for participants, numerous time-saving automations and a variety of user-friendly features to guide you and your participants through the experience.

For facilitators, there is an admin dashboard where you can schedule game sessions, manage participant rosters, distribute game links and monitor progress mid-game. A new, flexible pricing structure includes the option to purchase seats up front or pay per participant at the time of scheduling a session.

Two Ways to Learn More

Watch a Recorded Webinar

In this free 1-hour webinar, you’ll learn why we created vFNER and get a preview of the virtual gameplay and the Admin Dashboard for facilitators. The webinar also covers pricing, certification and some Q&A with attendees.

Play the Game in a Monthly Live Demo

Join us Wednesday, August 19 at 12-2 PM Eastern

Every month we offer a free opportunity to participate in a live game demo. Join others from the public to play the game, see how the Admin Dashboard works (where you schedule and manage game sessions), and participate in Q&A with our CEO Jeff Heil.

Pricing for Participant Seats and Facilitator Certification

Special offers for your first order:

Purchase certification for one facilitator and get free certification for a second.
Purchase 60+ seats and get free certification for two facilitators.

What Facilitators Say About vFNER

“What can a game uncover about how well your team works together? A lot! Think decision-making, communication, and collaboration. You don’t have to be in healthcare to benefit from the complex challenges in this simulation, and it’s fast-paced, engaging and fun. My client teams will benefit from this tool, I promise it will challenge and inspire.”

Gina Lucete-Cole, Principal Consultant, Promina Advisors

“This has been a fun exercise to do with my Health Management and Master’s in Health Administration students! Really gets them thinking about managing patient throughput in different hospital departments and working together!”

Linda Moody DNP, MBA, RN, Associate Teaching Professor, Wichita State University, Senior Professional, Organizational Development & Learning, University Hospitals Cleveland

“Such a great simulation for your team with so many applicable learnings to their real day to day and fun and exciting at the same time!!!”

Denise Adams Wallace, Principal and Owner, Creative Thinking

Facilitator Certification Course

Use the form to register for our certification course and get all the skills and tools you need to facilitate vFNER effectively on your own.

  • Participate in three live online facilitator training sessions (9 hours total) with a cohort.
  • Experience the virtual game play with a group and learn how to facilitate it.
  • Get a facilitator account and learn how to schedule game sessions, build participant rosters, and manage groups mid-game.
  • Access program slides and other useful resources.
  • Facilitate three practice sessions and complete self-reflection exercises (4-6 hours total).
  • Receive feedback and support from your instructor and peers.

Upcoming Certification Dates & Times:

Cohort 17: Aug. 18 + 25 + Sept. 8  (Certified after Sept. 8)

    • Tuesday, Aug. 18: 12-3 pm Eastern
    • Tuesday, Aug. 25: 12-3 pm Eastern
    • Tuesday, Sept. 8: 12-3 pm Eastern

Cohort 18: Oct. 14  + 21 + Nov. 4  (Certified after Nov. 4)

    • Wednesday, Oct. 14: 12-3 pm Eastern
    • Wednesday, Oct. 21: 12-3 pm Eastern
    • Wednesday, Nov. 4: 12-3 pm Eastern

FAQs

It depends on your needs, but all thing being equal, we recommend the tabletop game as the optimal version of this experience.

The virtual version is primarily designed for remote learning, which has been a growing need especially since the pandemic. Here are the main reasons to consider using the virtual version:

  • Supports remote learning
  • Smoother, more efficient game experience
  • Facilitator convenience: easy set up, no meeting space, no travel
  • Flexible payment options, including pay as you go
  • Optimized for scaling

Yes, facilitator training is required for now. We may remove this requirement as we build out on-demand resources for facilitators to train and support themselves. The certification process includes a combination of two live online sessions and practice sessions on your own. You can expect certification to take a total of 9-13 hours.

There are two training sessions currently scheduled for late summer / early fall 2026. You can register when you place your order using the order form above.

Cohort 17: Aug. 18 + 25 + Sept. 8  (Certified after Sept. 8)

Cohort 18: Oct. 14  + 21 + Nov. 4  (Certified after Nov. 4)

The maximum is 100 participants per session, however we strongly recommend practicing with smaller groups first and enlisting plenty of support for large groups. The minimum group size is 4, but we recommend at least 8 so there are some differences in team behaviors and performance scores, which will enrich the debrief.

A laptop or desktop computer, a modern web browser, and, if you are running your program remotely, your preferred video conferencing platform such as Zoom.

vFNER will be compatible with phones and tablets soon, but the current version works on laptop and desktop computers only.