School of Nursing Simulation Laboratory

The Simulation Laboratory housed in the School of Nursing contains five high-fidelity simulation suites that provide students with realistic learning experiences in a safe, controlled environment. Each room is outfitted with its own control room separated by a one-way mirrored window and audio-visual equipment. Nearby classrooms and simulation rooms are linked using web-based video streaming software to allow observers to view remotely and debrief after sessions.

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Simulation Laboratory Services

A professor observes students navigating a medical procedure in the simulation lab. — Simulated interprofessional healthcare education exercises like this one allow students from the Schools of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Netter School of Medicine to get hands-on training while being supported by expert faculty.

Students and faculty within the Schools of Nursing and Health Sciences, as well as the Netter School of Medicine participate in simulation as part of their laboratory courses and on-campus clinical specialty experiences such as pediatrics, maternity, psychiatric and community/public health nursing. Simulations are designed to allow application of knowledge learned in didactic courses, fundamental skills learning in skills laboratory courses and clinical decision making within clinical context. The facility is managed by the School of Nursing.

Manikin-based Simulation: The simulation laboratory has a range of high-fidelity simulators that are anatomically accurate and interactive. Their features include heart sounds, lung sounds, bowels sounds, pupil reaction, palpable pulses and verbalization. Simulators portray patients across the lifespan including:

Pediatric: neonate, infant, school-aged and adolescent
Adult: 3 simulators that can portray patients from adolescence to older adults
Maternity: birthing simulator and newborn

Standardized Patient (SP): Standardized Patients (SPs) involves the use of individuals trained to play the roles of patients, family members, or others within the simulation laboratory or classroom setting. SPs are part-time temporary employees of Quinnipiac who are trained to portray a patient or participant such as a family member within a simulated setting. There are currently 100 SPs employed by Quinnipiac University Standardized Patient Assessment Center managed by the Netter School of Medicine.

Task Trainers: Task trainers may be incorporated during simulations within the simulation laboratory setting. Task trainers are products utilized to practice a specific skill or procedure such as central line placement or chest tube insertion.

Programs using the Simulation Lab

Occupational therapy students perform hands-on simulation exercises with an infant manikin to build pediatric care skills.

Occupational Therapy

Students in the Occupational Therapy program use simulation within the adult and pediatric evaluation process and intervention courses. Students are introduced to a simulated hospital environment with all the sights and sounds of ICU equipment and high/low fidelity mannequins. Students practice simulated scenarios with small group, hands-on learning facilitated by OT faculty. Students often comment that opportunities within the simulation lab improve teamwork, communication, clinical skills and confidence in the clinical environment.

BS in Health Science Studies / Master of Occupational Therapy

Post-Baccalaureate Master of Occupational Therapy

BS in Health Science Studies / Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Physical therapy students tend to a mannequin patient in a simulation hospital environment.

Physical Therapy students perform cardiopulmonary chest exams on high fidelity manikins.

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program participate in simulation-based learning across the physical therapy curriculum. Laboratory experiences occur with high-fidelity mannequins in the simulation laboratory and portable simulators in the physical therapy laboratory. Students are introduced to the hospital environment, medical equipment and patient monitoring through simulation. Students also practice physical examination skills and patient communication in caring for patients across the lifespan. Students often comment that simulation opportunities improve their knowledge, skills, confidence and readiness for seeing patients in the clinical environment.

BS in Health Science Studies / Doctor of Physical Therapy

Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Physical Therapy

A student in the graduate nurse practitioner program performs an exam on a patient in the simulation lab

Physician assistant students conduct a comprehensive physical exam, simulating real-life clinical decision-making.

Physician Assistant

Throughout the Physician Assistant didactic phase, students engage in dynamic simulation sessions embedded across multiple courses. These simulations create realistic patient encounters based on medical conditions covered in courses, offering invaluable practice in history taking, physical examination, differential diagnosis, lab and diagnostic interpretation, clinical decision-making and patient education. In addition, Physician Assistant students use simulation to practice interprofessional, team-based healthcare with students of other disciplines within the QU community. Our students consistently praise simulation for helping them apply and retain complex material as well as building confidence as they transition to the clinical phase.

BS in Health Science Studies / MHS in Physician Assistant

MHS in Physician Assistant

Nursing student reaches for exam equipment in the simulation lab.

Nursing students hone practical skills in a realistic clinical setting equipped with a variety of medical tools and technology.

Undergraduate Nursing

Students enrolled in the traditional and accelerated BSN programs participate in simulation-based learning across the curriculum. Students apply knowledge gained from the classroom, health assessment and skills laboratory settings within clinical context in a safe learning environment. Students are challenged to practice clinical judgment and decision-making in preparation for their transition to clinical practice.

BS in Nursing

Accelerated BS in Nursing

A nursing student smiles while carrying medical equipment through the simulation lab.

Nurse practitioner students participate in simulation exercises with advanced medical breathing equipment, reinforcing critical respiratory care techniques.

Graduate Nurse Practitioner

Students in the nurse practitioner programs participate in simulation-based learning within the simulation laboratory across the curriculum. Laboratory experiences occur with high-fidelity mannequins in the simulation laboratory and part-task trainers in the skills laboratories. Students practice history taking and physical examination, suturing, contraception management, casting and other hands-on skills. Additionally, students in the acute care track practice critical care skills such as intubation, chest tube insertion and arterial line placement. This demonstrates our commitment to building skill sets for managing complex patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings across the healthcare continuum.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner