School of Nursing Showcases Immersive Simulation Technology to Board of Visitors

The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) School of Nursing recently welcomed the Board of Visitors for an inside look at its high-tech clinical education facilities in the Learning Resource Center (LRC).

Led by School of Nursing faculty and staff, five guided tour groups experienced a 12-room interactive journey designed to demonstrate how nursing students bridge classroom theory with high-stakes clinical practice. By leveraging everything from high-tech maternity simulators to VR software, these state-of-the-art labs provide a realistic space for nursing students to master complex clinical scenarios before treating live patients. 

During the walkthrough, Board members witnessed live-action clinical scenarios brought to life by nursing faculty and student participants:

• Virtual Reality in Physical Assessment (CHHS 342): Visitors saw VR technology in action as School of Nursing faculty member Emily Gullena demonstrated Bodyswaps software—casting her virtual headset scenario onto a main monitor to show how students practice real-time patient interactions.
• Maternity & Labor Simulation (CHHS 331): The tour stepped directly into an active labor scenario using a maternal simulator. Guided by School of Nursing faculty member Christy Lundy, nursing student Angel Ben demonstrated fetal monitoring, IV fluid management, and delivery assistance alongside community participants.
• Pediatric Emergency Response (CHHS 330): School of Nursing faculty member Katherine Shue-McGuffin and nursing student Hannah Khuri demonstrated rapid assessment and pediatric seizure management with “Little Hal,” highlighting emergency medication protocols and patient family communication.
• Critical Care & Resuscitation (CHHS 321): The tour observed advanced cardiac arrest management with a multidisciplinary team—featuring nursing provider LB Sossoman, nursing student Shaniqua Mayweather, and Respiratory Therapy partner Jim Damron—executing defibrillation, CPR, and ventilator integration.
• Skills & Social Determinants Labs: Guests also visited CHHS 306 to practice listening to simulated heart, lung, and bowel sounds on Juno mannequins, viewed the automated medication dispensing room, and toured CHHS 302, a specialized lab designed to teach students how social determinants of health impact home environments. 

While centered on nursing education, the showcase also highlighted the collaborative reality of modern healthcare. Select scenarios incorporated faculty and perspective from departments across CHHS—including the Department of Applied Physiology, Health, and Clinical Sciences, and Public Health and Health Administration—underscoring how Nursing leads interdisciplinary training across the college.

Following the structured tour, Board members had the opportunity to revisit individual simulation bays to speak directly with faculty demonstrators and student volunteers about the real-world impact of their training.