The Nursing Learning Center (NLC) provides a state-of –the-art learning environment designed to provide students with an atmosphere where they can incorporate theory and psychomotor skills consistent with curriculum requirements. The NLC consists of three large labs that allow up to a total of 60 students to use the setting simultaneously. In addition, in two of the large rooms there is a private patient care unit/bed/room with sink and cupboards.

The NLC is equipped with appropriate equipment and supplies that a nurse would require to provide patient care in an acute clinical setting. There are 19 patient care units/beds and 2 cribs for demonstrations, student practice and competency testing. Medium fidelity adult simulators with audible breath sounds, heart sounds and electrocardiogram, bowel sounds, blood pressure are used in assessment and management of the patient in a simulated the clinical environment. Each patient care unit is furnished with a wall-mounted sphygmomanometer, in-wall suction, compressed air (“oxygen”), mounted disposable glove box, sharps disposal container, an intravenous fluids suspension track, a bedside nightstand, and an over-bed table.

There are two storage rooms containing floor to ceiling shelves, cupboards and a small work surface. The storage rooms are used to store assorted mannequins parts, anatomical models, equipment for physical examinations and other supplies. Students may access supplies for practicing skills in “cubby holes” near the front entrance to each side of the NLC.

Simulation in the Obstetrics area has been a welcome addition to our clinical experiences. Students learn to apply theory in the prenatal, labor & delivery, postpartum or newborn settings. Students are exposed to patient situations that most likely would not be available to them in the clinical settings. It is a safe place for students to learn and grow as they apply their nursing knowledge.

Our simulation center is located on the second floor of the Graduate Building. Each simulation room contains a specific simulator or simulators and functioning headwalls for suction, “oxygen” and air. Two rooms are focused on pediatrics with one containing a child simulator and one an infant simulator. The two remaining rooms contain adult simulators.

The Denver Nursing Skills Center contains a variety of patient care devices and simulated care settings for nursing students to practice patient care skills prior to entering the clinical venue. Equipment used for teaching nursing care skills, such as monitoring vital signs and conducting health care assessments, as well as areas of simulated patient care, are available.

Low and medium fidelity adult manikins occupy five of the seven simulation-functional hospital patient care rooms complete with beds, bedside tables, over bed tables, and wall units containing simulated suction and oxygen. Of the seven adult mannequins, one is capable of giving birth to a low fidelity infant mannequin. In addition, there are three infant simulation manikins available, one capable of simulating special needs, and each with their own bassinet units utilized for experiential instruction.