On September 10, the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing at UAFS held an open house to showcase its new state-of-the-art simulation lab. Designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, the Walter O. Caldwell Simulation Lab provides immersive, hands-on training experiences that enable students to meet the demands of modern patient care. The UAFS nursing simulation lab will help enhance excellence in healthcare education by providing students with a space to practice and refine their fundamental and advanced nursing skills. This will ensure the school of nursing produces nurses who are competent and ready for the demands of modern healthcare.  

The Vision That Helped Establish the Simulation Lab 

The UAFS nursing simulation lab was established to advance healthcare education through innovative, hands-on learning experiences. Faculty and leadership recognized that while lectures and textbooks build essential knowledge, students also need a safe, controlled environment where they can practice, make mistakes, and learn without risking patient safety. 

Increasing national attention on patient safety underscored this need. Hospitals and healthcare systems require graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also competent and confident in their clinical practice. This motivation, along with the desire to provide students with cutting-edge tools and realistic learning environments to hone their skills, led to the establishment of the lab. 

The simulation lab’s goals align with the broader mission of the School of Nursing, focusing on improving clinical skills by enabling students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations, encouraging critical thinking and decision-making in high-pressure settings, and fostering interprofessional collaboration that mirrors the team-based approach of modern healthcare. 

Furthermore, these goals align with the nursing program’s learning objectives, which highlight evidence-based care, effective communication, leadership, and lifelong learning. By integrating simulation into the curriculum, the school ensures that students graduate not only as nurses but also as adaptable, compassionate professionals ready for the changing healthcare environment. 

The UAFS simulation lab uses patient simulators like HAL® S3201 to give students hands-on practice with nursing skills. Photo credit: University of Arkansas – Fort Smith

Why Simulation Matters in Nursing Education 

As healthcare becomes increasingly complex and shortages in nursing faculty limit opportunities for hands-on clinical experience, simulation emerges as an invaluable teaching tool in nursing education. Nursing students need to be able to practice complex procedures and clinical judgment without the risks associated with real patient care.  

Therefore, nursing students at UAFS gain several valuable benefits from access to the simulation lab. The UAFS nursing simulation lab features multiple patient simulators, including HAL® S3201, to support experiential learning. HAL can talk, breathe, exhibit realistic symptoms, and his vital signs and physical appearance change based on students’ actions and interventions. 

Thus, students participate in experiential learning, gaining hands-on experience in realistic conditions that reflect the challenges of clinical practice. From assessment to diagnosis to executing both basic and complex procedures, students have chances to develop procedural and cognitive skills. Simulation also boosts confidence, as mistakes become valuable learning opportunities that foster resilience and enhance problem-solving skills.  

In addition, research shows that simulation-based training helps reduce error rates and enhances clinical performance, ensuring that students are better prepared for real-world scenarios. Simulation allows for deliberate practice, enabling students to repeat tasks and procedures until they achieve proficiency. Ultimately, these advantages equip future nurses to enter clinical settings with the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

UAFS nursing students practice in clinical groups and then review their actions during a debrief session. Photo credit: University of Arkansas – Fort Smith

Simulation is an Integral Part of the Curriculum 

Simulation is fully integrated into the nursing curriculum. Students encounter simulations within their clinical groups, using the experiences to prepare for rotations and direct patient care. The UAFS nursing simulation lab also plays a role in student assessments, helping faculty gauge not only technical skills but also critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. 

By the time students graduate, they have practiced scenarios ranging from everyday patient interactions to high-stakes emergencies. This wide range of experience ensures they are not only clinically competent but also flexible under pressure. These are qualities every healthcare provider must have to prevent errors and deliver the best possible care. 

Behind each simulation experience is careful planning and design. Faculty start by identifying the learning goals and clinical skills to be covered. Subject matter experts work together to make sure scenarios reflect real challenges nurses will face in practice, whether it’s responding to respiratory distress, managing complications during labor, or coordinating care in a cardiac emergency. 

The team then selects the tools needed for each scenario. High-fidelity simulators provide lifelike responses for complex scenarios, while skill trainers allow students to focus on specific skills. Each scenario is pilot-tested and refined to strike the right balance of realism and educational value. Evaluation is also a key part of the process. After each simulation, feedback and outcomes are reviewed to continually improve the experience and ensure alignment with student learning goals. 

Conclusion 

For the faculty and staff who help facilitate the training experiences, the greatest reward is watching students grow. Tammy Rogers, Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing, says, “What excites me most about our simulation center is witnessing the transformation in learners as they gain confidence and competence through realistic, immersive experiences — knowing we’re shaping the next generation of skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals.” 

The opening of the Walter O. Caldwell Simulation Lab at UAFS marks a crucial step forward in training the next generation of nurses in Arkansas. By integrating advanced technology, hands-on learning, and a curriculum that reflects the realities of modern healthcare, the School of Nursing ensures its graduates are not only knowledgeable but also confident, capable, and compassionate practitioners.