The University of North Florida and health care facilities provider HCA Florida Healthcare are developing a simulation center for UNF Brooks College of Health nursing students.
The simulation center, which will be named the “HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement at the University of North Florida,” will be located at the UNF MedNexus facility on the Florida State College at Jacksonville Deerwood campus. It will be operational for UNF nursing students beginning in the fall semester.
The center is meant to provide a simulated medical environment for nursing students to practice hands-on best practices before entering clinical training.
“HCA Healthcare has been a dedicated partner to the University of North Florida for many years,” said Pamela Chally, interim president of UNF. “This advanced simulation center will make such a difference providing the quality hands-on training needed to prepare our healthcare professionals.”
The center will have eight individual simulation rooms, each with its own adjoining full-size control room equipped with technology designed for healthcare training. The rooms consist of two home care apartment set-up rooms with a full kitchen and bathroom, one OR/ER flex room, a skills lab and regular rooms to be used for trauma, birthing and pediatrics.
The new Center will also provide a pathway for HCA Healthcare employees to enroll in a UNF certificate program offered by the university’s Division of Continuing Education and use the simulation center. Some HCA employees who are certified within their education division will also be invited to serve as UNF program instructors. These instructors will work in collaboration with Brooks College of Health faculty to develop the Clinical Advancement Certificate and Experiential Learning Program curriculum.
“We are so thankful to HCA Florida Healthcare for partnering with UNF on this advanced simulation center,” said Dr. Curt Lox, dean of the UNF Brooks College of Health. “As there continues to be a shortage of nurses, this simulation center will deliver authentic real-world experiences to educate and train the nurses of tomorrow.”
