Nova Southeastern University Opens High-Tech Nursing Laboratory in Miami

Facility uses computerized robotic simulators to mimic real patient conditions

MIAMI Fla. — Nova Southeastern University (Nova) will open a new high-tech nursing simulation lab at its Miami Student Educational Center (SEC) on Tuesday, Aug. 9 to better prepare students for a profession that’s in high demand.

The lab will house four high-tech robotic patient simulators placed in hospital beds that simulate a full functioning hospital, including a baby and birthing mother. Operated by the Nursing Department of Nova’s College of Allied Health and Nursing, the lab is a unique nursing education center that’s equipped with computer software designed to emulate various health conditions and physical ailments.

The laboratory is a replica of a real hospital complete with a nursing station, medical equipment, and computers. In addition, there are two 60-seat classrooms, where students can watch in real time other students and/or faculty members performing simulated nursing procedures. The teaching facility is also equipped with a supply room, linen room, and medication room. The nursing education center has faculty offices and a student lounge.

“The facility is designed to help our students hit the ground running when they become professional nurses,” said Sally Weiss, Ed.D., R.N., CNE, ANEF, program director and professor of the Nova’s Miami SEC nursing program. “There is little room for mistakes in this profession.”

The new nursing laboratory will be used by the nearly 300 students enrolled in the nursing program at the Miami SEC. The SEC offers a bachelors of science in nursing degree, or B.S.N.

Additionally, selected nursing students are offered 40 full scholarships annually from Baptist Health South Florida. The Baptist scholar students are offered the opportunity to obtain jobs with Baptist after they graduate. In fact, nearly 100 percent of the nursing graduates at the Miami SEC are gainfully employed following their commencement.

The new nursing simulation laboratory is also used by Baptist as a training facility for their nurse residency program and nurses who work in critical care areas.

“By sharing our resources, Nova is helping to educate Baptist nurses, which impacts the community,” Weiss said.

Nova’s Nursing Department has been one of the university’s fastest growing programs since it was launched in 2003, with its first class of 43 students.  The department now enrolls over 1,000 students. Nova also provides nursing education at its Student Educational Centers (SEC) in Kendall-Miami, Palm Beach, Ft. Myers, and Orlando. About 450 of those students study nursing at Nova’s main campus in Davie.

A grand opening for the new nursing lab will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The Miami SEC is located at 8585 S.W. 124th Ave., Miami. Click here for directions: http://www.nova.edu/sec/miami/directions.html

About Nova’s Miami Student Educational Center: The Miami Student Educational Center is located in Kendall to better serve the Miami-Dade County community. The Center has over 3,000 students enrolled in our bachelor, master, educational specialist, and doctoral programs.  Students experience a real world classroom experience enhanced by our state-of-the art technology laboratories.

About Nova Southeastern University: Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited Florida University dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 29,000 students and is the seventh largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The University awards associate’s, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences.  Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU was also awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification in 2010 for the University’s significant commitment to and demonstration of community engagement.   For more information about NSU visit www.nova.edu.

Media Contact:
Ken Ma, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5408 (office), 954-830-4177 (cell), ken.ma@nova.edu