SIUE School of Nursing Adds State-of-the-Art Clinical Simulation Lab
As the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing’s (SON) continues to experience rapid enrollment growth, it is expanding and enhancing its clinical simulation learning opportunities for future nurses.
In fall 2020, the SON opened an additional state-of-the-art clinical simulation lab. The School’s Simulated Learning Center (SLC) now includes three labs that span nearly 5,700 square feet on the second and third floor of Alumni Hall. The new lab space on the third floor includes an advanced simulated operating room, high-fidelity hospital simulation room, two simulation skill classrooms and a new debriefing room.
The SLC offers undergraduate and graduate nursing students the realistic primary and advance practice simulation experiences they need to provide high-tech, high-quality patient care.
“The current COVID-19 pandemic increased the urgency for the School to explore alternative learning modalities that are evidence-based, cutting-edge and creative in an effort to continue to elevate our educational programs in nursing,” said Kevin Stein, DNP, program director and assistant professor of the nurse anesthesia program.
“Through high-fidelity simulations designed by our faculty, students will be able to transfer the theoretical knowledge they learn in the classroom into clinical practice in a safe and controlled environment,” Stein said. “This will enhance student confidence and prepare them for hands-on patient care throughout central and southern Illinois communities.”
The SLC will be relocated to the University’s Health Sciences Building upon the new facility’s completion.
In fall 2020, the SON achieved a record enrollment of 1,877 students. With a 5% increase from fall 2019, the SON saw record enrollment for the second consecutive year.
Photos: Standing in the SIUE SON’s new clinical simulation lab are (L-R) Ann Popkess, PhD, RN, CNE, assistant dean for undergraduate programs; Dean Laura Bernaix, PhD, RN, and Kevin Stein, DNP, nurse anesthesia program director.
SIUE School of Nursing students and faculty engage in simulation learning in the School’s new clinical simulation lab.
