A state-of-the-art health care training and simulation lab that is shared by three higher education institutions officially opened in Las Vegas today. The Clinical Simulation Center (CSC) is a 31,000 sq. ft. facility where nursing students, medical students and medical residents are educated together in an environment that allows for integrated training of future health care providers.
Students from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing, Nevada State College School of Nursing, and University of Nevada School of Medicine began training in the facility earlier this fall. The CSC provides state-of-the-art health care education equipment throughout the five high-fidelity simulation labs, three clinical skills labs, a surgical simulation suite, twelve standardized patient rooms, and four multipurpose classrooms. The entire facility is integrated by an all-encompassing Audio-Video management system.
This collaborative center is part of the Health Sciences System (HSS) of the Nevada System of Higher Education, which is working to ensure Nevada has a highly trained health care workforce to meet the state’s current and future needs. The HSS provides academic leadership and guidance to link and integrate the health professional schools, i.e., nursing, medicine, dental, public health, etc., that are part of Nevada’s eight higher education institutions. This includes 150 health sciences programs and nearly 18,000 students attending a state college or university.
“The center, both technologically and through collaborative design, is ideally suited to prepare our students for today’s complex healthcare system,” said Carolyn Yucha, dean of UNLV’s School of Nursing. “The simulation technology available rivals the very best facilities in the region and will strengthen students’ critical thinking and decision-making skills in a safe and controlled environment.”
Dr. Miriam Bar-on, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at the University of Nevada School of Medicine said, “the simulation center is a wonderful opportunity to take training of residents and students to the next level. They will be better prepared to provide safe and effective care to patients following learning experiences in the various areas of the center.”
Dr. Shirlee Snyder, Dean of the Nevada State College School of Nursing said, “the CSC will provide outstanding learning experiences with cutting edge technology for nursing and medical students to learn clinical judgment skills in an interdisciplinary setting. The ultimate outcome is improved health care for the citizens of Nevada. Definitely a ‘win-win’ situation.”
Dr. Maurizio Trevisan, Executive Vice Chancellor and CEO of the Health Sciences System added, “You are witnessing first hand a concrete example of the power of an integrated approach and the value of working together as a higher education system. With this facility, we are able to more efficiently and effectively educate students in the health professional fields. Our nursing and medical students will be highly qualified and trained for their future role as health care providers.”
The CSC facility was built with nearly $16 million in state funding. Also recognized at the event today for helping fund the project, was U.S. Senator Harry Reid who provided nearly $2 million in federal funding to support the Health Sciences System and the CSC facility and the Lincy Foundation for providing a $5 million grant to the Health Sciences System.
