Simulation
The Future of Nursing Education
At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing, we’re redefining how nurses are prepared to meet the demands of modern health care. Here, nursing education is a comprehensive journey. Where classroom learning, hands-on clinical experience, and cutting-edge simulation technology come together to create confident, practice-ready nurses.
Today’s Vol Nurses train in an immersive environment that mirrors real-world clinical settings, empowering students to refine their critical thinking, sharpen their decision-making, and master patient care skills before ever stepping foot in a hospital room.
Simulation Education
The simulation education program in the College of Nursing offers innovative simulation clinical experiences to train psychomotor skills, physical assessment, and clinical care applied in practice. Simulation is incorporated into every clinical course within the undergraduate and graduate programs providing students opportunities to acquire the necessary skills and behaviors incorporated in clinical practice situations. The UT Medical Nursing Building features some of the most sophisticated simulation spaces in the state. Step inside and experience where:
- Lifelike manikins breathe, speak, and respond to complex medical scenarios
- Task trainers allow students to perfect essential clinical skills through repeated practice
- Professional actors simulate real patient interactions and behavioral health scenarios
- Expert faculty guide every moment of learning with insight, feedback, and compassion
Benefits of Simulation Based Learning
- Provides a safe, realistic environment where students can practice and learn without risk to patients
- Builds confidence and competence before clinical placements
- Enhances critical thinking and decision-making skills
Our Labs
Physical Assessment Labs
The Physical Assessment Lab provides nursing students with hands-on training in patient evaluation. Equipped with exam tables, manikins, task trainers, and simulated patients, the lab helps students build skills in communication, history taking, and head-to-toe assessments while also serving as a flexible space for additional skills training.
Learning Labs
The Learning Labs provide nursing students with hands-on instruction in essential psychomotor skills such as patient safety, hygiene, body mechanics, medication administration, suctioning, and IV access. Equipped with manikins, task trainers, and clinical supplies, the labs use a Simulation-Based Mastery Learning (SBML) approach to ensure students build confidence and achieve competency through practice and performance evaluation.
High-Fidelity Labs
High-fidelity simulation labs immerse nursing students in realistic clinical environments, using advanced manikins, standardized patients, and specialized equipment to replicate real-world scenarios. These labs help students strengthen technical, behavioral, and communication skills, with guided debriefing sessions after each simulation to reinforce safe and effective practice.
BSN Scholars Lab
The BSN Scholars Lab offers over 8,000 square feet of state-of-the-art simulation space, including a 12-bed skills lab, high-fidelity simulation rooms with debriefing spaces, and modern classrooms for shared learning. Equipped with advanced manikins, recording technology, and clinical equipment, the lab provides students with hands-on training in realistic health care settings to build confidence and competency in patient care.