Have you ever wondered how nurses learn to think on their feet and make decisions under pressure?
In nursing school, simulation labs play a significant role in nursing education. Using state-of-the-art equipment and high-fidelity manikins who serve as "patients," labs in nursing mimic the look and feel of hospital rooms and other healthcare settings. These labs turn nursing concepts into practice.
"Simulation is truly the only place where you get to fully immerse yourself in the role of a registered nurse before graduation," says Kate Lindley, National Simulation Director at Rasmussen University, MSN, RN, CHSOS, CHSE.
Students learn by practicing foundational clinical skills before they care for real patients. Manikins are "given" particular medical conditions, symptoms and behaviors that students can then respond to. This training environment is a safe place to practice and make mistakes without bringing fear or harm to actual patients. Through these experiences, nurses learn how to make sound clinical judgments.
"Simulation is crucial in nursing education because it allows you to practice clinical skills and decision-making in a safe, controlled environment, Lindley explains.
“It enables you to experience a wide range of scenarios, from common illnesses to high-stakes emergencies that you might not encounter immediately in clinical settings. This direct experience boosts confidence, improves critical thinking and enhances the ability to respond effectively in real-life situations."
How do nursing simulation labs replicate clinical settings?
When stepping into a nursing simulation lab for the first time, you might feel as though you've entered a miniature hospital. These labs are designed to mirror real-world healthcare environments, providing nursing students with invaluable hands-on experience in a positive learning environment.
You’ll notice patient rooms filled with hospital beds, blood pressure cuffs and other monitors as well as diagnostic tools. In simulation labs, students also interact with manikins that range from adults to pediatric patients that can mimic a wide range of medical conditions and responses.
What is unique about the simulation lab experience?
Simulation labs provide opportunities for students to gain realizations they wouldn't see otherwise. "An 'aha' moment that stands out for many nursing students is when they realize how crucial communication is in patient care, especially during high-pressure scenarios," Lindley says.
"During a simulation where a student is managing a 'patient' in cardiac arrest, they might initially focus on the technical skills like performing CPR and administering medications,” Lindley explains. “However, in the middle of the simulation, they realize that clear communication with the team and the patient’s family members is just as important.”
Lindley recalls a group of students who were managing a simulated emergency and were so focused on the clinical tasks that they almost missed giving clear directions to the other team members. When they took a moment to step back and guide their peers to explain what they were doing to the patient’s family, they felt more in control and effective.
They experienced firsthand that nursing is not just about knowing the right nursing interventions but also about coordinating care and providing emotional support in real-time, even in the most stressful situations."
What's the difference between a simulation lab and a skills lab?
There are two types of labs in nursing education: skills labs and simulation labs. Nursing skills labs help students become acclimated with basic nursing skills. They learn how to check vital signs, draw blood, insert a urinary catheter and more. The more they practice in skills labs, the better adept they'll be at techniques for performing these tasks in a way that is most comfortable for future patients.
Simulation labs are more dynamic environments that prepare students with critical thinking in assessing and treating a patient's condition. These dynamic settings are all about decision-making: Learning how to assess and care for a patient, amid changing conditions.
While skills labs involve learning hands-on techniques, simulation labs are focused on making sound clinical judgment and solving problems. Both types of labs are important steps prior to participating in clinical rotations.
What are the most difficult nursing skills to master?
The most challenging skills to master as a nurse include a combination of technical skills and soft skills. Technical skills include administering medications, managing complex patient conditions and performing life-saving procedures while soft skills include effective communication, empathy and adaptability.
Nursing simulation labs play a vital role in helping students develop both these sets of skills. They offer a safe space to practice skills and receive immediate feedback on ways to improve them.
What technology will you find in a nursing simulation lab?
Simulation labs enhance the learning experience with state-of-the-art technology that may include the following:
- High fidelity manikins / patient simulators can breathe, have vital signs, bowel sounds, heart and lung sounds and reactive pupils. In these lab scenarios, manikins simulate real-life incidents such as respiratory distress or heart attacks. Students can also become comfortable supporting people in all kinds of situations, including helping patients who have limited mobility.
There are even pregnant manikins that can give birth to a baby! For an added lifelike experience, the manikins can speak to the students in real time. - Electronic health records (EHR) systems allow students to practice using digital charting systems commonly used in hospitals. Before entering the nursing simulation lab, students may spend time reviewing relevant medical information, looking at patient charts, and discussing care plans with fellow classmates and their instructor.
- Medication administration tools allow students to practice intravenous (IV) insertions, medication administration and other essential nursing tasks. Students are expected to verify and administer medications with the same safety checks as they would with a real patient.
- Diagnostic tools such as stethoscopes, otoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and other instruments allow students to practice patient assessment and diagnosis.
What are the benefits of nursing simulation labs?
"One thing I love about working with simulation is how it creates an immersive learning experience that can mimic the complexities of real-world healthcare environments," says Lindley. "It allows you to learn from your mistakes and make improvements for future practice and the communities you'll be working in.”
A major part of nursing care requires mastering these hands-on skills as well as real-time decision-making. Simulation in nursing education has emerged as a cornerstone of training, offering a host of benefits that traditional classroom learning and clinical rotations alone cannot provide. A simulation lab in nursing provides a creative way for students to...
- Become comfortable working in clinical settings
- Learn to solve problems in rapidly changing situations
- Gain critical thinking skills needed in their nursing career
- Practice nursing skills on state-of-the-art medical equipment
- Collaborate with peers in addressing patient care
Why are nursing simulation labs important?
As nurses have taken on greater responsibilities, their role in improving health outcomes has become even more crucial.1
Skills labs and simulation labs are critically important given the current nursing shortages and lack of clinical sites in certain areas of the country.2 Immersion in nursing simulation labs gives students the realistic experiences to prepare them for their nursing career.
Universities aren’t the only ones using this incredible technology. Hospitals and healthcare systems combine simulation labs in nursing with supervised clinical rotation.3 These experiences help prepare nurses to apply evidence-based care.
Clinical simulation allows students to fully take on the role and responsibilities of a registered nurse before graduation and prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®). Continued exposure to lab scenarios helps students become proficient in nursing practice before they work with real patients. This learning process allows students to apply nursing theory and nursing interventions to patient care scenarios.
Do simulation labs encourage teamwork?
In simulation labs, students often work in groups. This collaboration allows for practicing effective communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills in a realistic, yet safe environment. Nursing simulation gives students a way to connect their classroom knowledge to applicable situations that they will experience when they're a registered nurse.
How do instructors provide feedback in the simulation lab?
In recent studies, students reported that simulation labs are one of the most effective means for preparing them for a nursing career.4 Debriefing is a key part of the simulation learning experience and truly where the learning happens.
In most of Rasmussen's simulation labs, there's a control room where instructors can manipulate the scenarios in real time, control the patient simulators and observe students' performance through a one-way mirror. This room is equipped with additional computers and audiovisual equipment that allow instructors to monitor and record simulations for review and debriefing. Faculty can also speak into the room if a student has a question or needs some guidance during the simulation scenario.
How do I make the most of simulation labs?
Nursing simulation labs can take some getting used to. To gain the most from the experience...
- Read the assigned readings and jot down any questions you have.
- Don't stress about making mistakes. You're early in learning to be a nurse and are bound to make mistakes. Simulation labs are designed to be a productive environment where you can feel safe to test out what you learned in class and discover ways to hone your skills.
- Be open to constructive feedback. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your instructor during the simulation and after during the debrief. This way you can learn from your experiences.
"Simulations are a golden opportunity—offering a chance to practice, reflect and grow without real-world consequences," says Lindley. "Make the most of this safe space to build confidence and competence as a future nurse.”
How do nursing school simulation labs prepare students for the future?
Nursing simulation is a crucial component of modern nursing education, providing students with the opportunity to practice and refine their skills in a realistic environment. From advanced patient simulators to fully equipped patient rooms, these labs offer a comprehensive training ground that helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice.
For nursing students, the simulation lab is not just a place to learn, it's a place to grow, collaborate and prepare for the rewarding and challenging career that lies ahead.
What should I look for in a nursing school when it comes to simulation labs?
Nursing schools with simulation labs are definitely worth prioritizing! That hands-on practice in a lifelike scenario helps nursing students get comfortable before they’re doing clinical rotations with real patients.
Look for a nursing program that has an immersive lab experience that will expose you to the latest equipment and diverse nursing scenarios that you're likely to encounter in a real clinical setting.
This early exposure provides a solid foundation to build on, enhancing learning and helping you gain valuable clinical experience throughout the curriculum.
Check out some other things you might want to evaluate when choosing a nursing program at 11 Facts You Didn't Know About the Rasmussen University Nursing Programs.
NCLEX-RN® is a registered trademark of National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
1Coster S, Watkins M, Norman IJ. What is the impact of professional nursing on patients' outcomes globally? An overview of research evidence. Int J Nurs Stud. 2018 Feb;78:76-83. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.10.009.
2Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet, (May, 2024). American Association of Colleges of Nursing. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage
3Adamson KH, Prion S. Questions Regarding Substitution of Simulation for Clinical. Clin Simul Nurs. 2021 Jan;50:79-80. doi: 10.1016/j.ecns.2020.06.014
4 Akselbo, I., Aune, I. (2023). How to Use Simulation as a Learning Method in Bachelor and Postgraduate/Master Education of Nurses and Teachers in Healthcare. In: Akselbo, I., Aune, I. (eds) How Can we Use Simulation to Improve Competencies in Nursing?. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10399-5_2
