Nursing Skills Lab

The University of Tampa’s Department of Nursing has several learning laboratories where nursing skills are taught and practiced in a safe, risk free environment.

Built in affiliation with Tampa General Hospital for the generic BSN Program, the original Nursing Skills Laboratory is located at Tampa General. The lab duplicates the settings and equipment found on clinical units at Tampa General Hospital. In addition, guest speakers who are experts in their fields from Tampa General are used as regular resources in the lab. This lab is now used as an adjunct to the newer Nursing Skills Laboratory located on the UT campus. The lab on campus simulates acute hospital and long term care settings, with medical supplies and equipment similar to those used in real health care facilities. In addition, there is a room designed as an ICU which includes authentic emergency equipment, emergency cart and a defibrillator.

The Nursing Skills Laboratory is equipped with low to high fidelity manikins including highly technical SimMan™ and SimBaby™, and an electronic birthing manikin, Noelle™. A video recording system is present for use during realistic patient care simulations, making performance feedback readily available to the student. Also on campus is a third learning laboratory, with patient examination rooms similar to a primary care office. This area is used by baccalaureate and master's nursing students to practice health assessment and physical examination skills.

Students are able to practice nursing skills at the UT Nursing Skills Lab during Open Lab time, scheduled throughout each week on a regular basis. A nursing student lab assistant is available during Open Lab time to assist students with skill acquisition and practice. Students are encouraged to utilize the Nursing Skills Lab beginning with their initial sophomore nursing courses.