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One of the greatest challenges in nursing education is competition for clinical space. Over the past three years, ISU’s School of Nursing has grown significantly. The traditional Pocatello program now enrolls 100 students annually, and 25 more are in the accelerated program, bringing the total to 125. To meet student learning needs, the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Board of Nursing allows up to 50% of clinical experiences to be completed through high-quality simulation. These sessions include pre-work, testing, scenario participation, debriefing, and reflection—often leaving students feeling like they’ve completed a full day of clinical training in just five hours. 

The new Simulation Center streamlines this process, eliminating the need for students to cross multiple classrooms to reach debriefing spaces. Equipped with advanced technology, the center enables telehealth, recording, and real-time observation. Up to five scenarios can run at once, including experiences in a simulated apartment environment. Debriefing rooms feature large screens for review, real-time observation, and glass boards for collaborative care planning.

Innovation extends beyond the walls of the center. The School of Nursing has also integrated Virtual Reality (VR) simulation through Tactile VR, supported by a grant from the State of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ. With 60 licenses across four campuses, students use Oculus headsets to enter immersive clinical settings. VR simulation is particularly valuable in specialties where clinical opportunities are limited, including behavioral and mental health, pediatrics, maternal health, and health assessment.

 “In the course of four years, a vision is now a reality, " said Cara-Lee Esplin, simulation educator for the College of Health. “Nursing students and other healthcare disciplines will benefit from two different media of competency-based learning: face-to-face simulation with brand-new manikins, and virtual reality where AI provides patient-focused experiences. A huge thank you to Shaun Mechaca and Portneuf Health Trust, and the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Workforce Development Council, for their dedication to ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ and the health care of our community.”