SXU School of Nursing Opens New Simulation Lab

CHICAGO — Saint Xavier University opened a new simulation lab that represents a critical component of a nurse’s education. University officials opened the lab Feb. 4 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The university converted the president’s dining room into a simulation lab, designed to replicate clinical practices in a safe environment. Nursing students will have a chance to sharpen their sills in critical thinking and clinical decision-making in diverse simulated experiences. As it replicates practices, the training ultimately enhances patient safety and optimizes outcomes.

"As the demand for frontline health care workers increases, schools and colleges of nursing respond. We have answered that call by increasing the number of students we accept to our undergraduate nursing program. Adding to our extensive simulation laboratories allows larger groups of students to work in simulation," said Gwendolyn George, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, dean of SONHS. "During the pandemic, having sufficient simulation space and equipment has been critical in allowing our students to progress as planned and join the nursing profession, where their skills are needed.”

This would not have been possible without the generous donations we received to support our mission of being student-centered, performance-driven, and providers of high-quality education."

The new simulation lab features a hospital bed and a VitalSim Laerdal Nursing Anne Manikin, a manikin designed for scenario-based training for the care and management of a wide variety of in-hospital patients. The manikin, which has multiple specifications, is educationally effective for clinical training targeting key skills from basic patient care to advanced nursing needed for in-hospital patient care.

In the simulation lab, students will learn how to take blood pressure and listen to various lung sounds. Four workstations will accommodate students in learning and help them to practice a wide variety of skills at various levels, including IV-tubing priming, wound care and sterile dressing changes. Students will be able to view activities occurring in the simulation lab from other areas on campus to observe and receive reports on their simulated patients.

"With an innovative spirit, our nursing program continues to move forward to meet student learning needs,” SXU President Laurie Joyner, Ph.D. said in a news release. “This additional space will allow more nursing students to receive simulation training vital to their professional development while maintaining safe distance.”

Our learning community is grateful for the donors who have made this space possible as well as the leadership of our nursing faculty for bringing this project to fruition," said President Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D.

The simulation room was made possible by a generous donation to the SXU School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Students will be able to spread out for their simulation experiences.