College of Nursing & Health Professions Simulation Centers

Simulation Centers

Mission

The College of Nursing and Health Professions Simulation Center creates safe and realistic learning experiences that prepare health professionals to provide quality health care. The faculty and staff are committed to excellence in simulation through the intentional use of evidence and theory to foster clinical judgment, achieve professional competencies, and engage in scholarly inquiry.

Vision 

We strive to achieve and maintain accreditation as a Simulation Center of Excellence and to be recognized as a leader in simulation-based education research.

About the Simulation Centers

The simulation centers offer a vital bridge between theoretical knowledge and the practical application of clinical skills, supporting learners as they progress from foundational training to advanced critical thinking in realistic simulation scenarios.

The Hattiesburg campus center, located on the second floor of Asbury Hall, includes an intensive care unit (ICU), four private patient rooms, a birthing suite, an operating room suite, a home health suite, two nurse practitioner exam rooms, and four fully equipped debriefing rooms. It also features two simulation wings designed as hands-on skills labs, equipped with mid-fidelity manikins and task trainers to support procedural practice and foundational skills development.

The Gulf Park campus simulation center, housed in the West Academic Building, includes two specialized labs: Lab A, a high-fidelity simulation space equipped with adult, maternal, and infant manikins, and Lab B, a clinical skills lab featuring two mid-fidelity manikins and a variety of task trainers. Two classrooms serve as debriefing spaces, providing structured environments for guided reflection and feedback.

Equipment

The Simulation Centers are equipped with a wide range of high-, mid-, and low-fidelity manikins and task trainers to support clinical education across multiple disciplines and levels of experience. Our equipment includes industry-recognized brands such as Laerdal, Gaumard, and others known for their reliability and realism in simulation technology. Students engage with adult, pediatric, maternal, and neonatal simulators in scenarios that replicate real-world clinical environments. A variety of simulation modalities are utilized, including manikin-based simulation, task trainer stations, standardized patients, and virtual simulation tools. Additional equipment includes fully outfitted headwalls, medication dispensing units, and audio-video recording systems to support prebriefing, real-time observation, and post-scenario debriefing. This comprehensive and flexible setup ensures learners can develop both technical and critical thinking skills in a controlled, supportive setting.

Faculty & Staff

The Simulation Centers are led by an interprofessional team of faculty, simulation specialists, and clinical instructors who collaborate to develop and facilitate simulation-based experiences. The team is committed to professional development and remains actively engaged in advancing simulation standards and practices through research, education, and innovation.

Accreditation

The Simulation Centers are actively pursuing full accreditation through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). The application for accreditation has been submitted, and a site visit is scheduled for November 3, 2025. This milestone reflects the College’s dedication to continuous quality improvement and excellence in simulation-based education.