In recent years, full sized body simulation mannequins have become available which simulate realistic patient body functions. This includes the production of breathing sounds by electro-mechanical lungs which inhale and exhale according to computer based instructions; a palpable pulse and heart rhythm that can be monitored on an electrocardiograph; physiologically correct pulses, blood pressure; and reaction to medications and fluids administered intravenously. Students in various programs in Nursing are able to use the mannequins to practice nursing assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation.

As the skills required of nurses in the actual health care setting has grown, so has the need for students to be able to practice their newly learned skills in a safe environment. In addition to using human patient simulators, the college has begun a “standardized patient” program. A standardized patient is a person trained to portray a patient scenario for the instruction, assessment, or practice of communication and/or examining skills of a student practitioner.

The College of Nursing has invested in a variety of human patients simulators. SimMan™, made by Laerdal, is a full-body patient simulator designed to realistically simulate all types of acute patient management and anesthesia scenarios. Nursing Anne™ is designed for simulation and practice of a complete range of patient assessment and care procedures. The College also owns other Laerdal mannequins including Sim Baby™, Sim NewB™, and other newborn mannequins.

From the METI company, the College owns iStan™, an adult mannequin with advanced features for critical care scenarios, and PediaSim™, a child mannequin. In addition, the college has a Noelle™ mannequin which is a birthing simulator.

With a patient simulator or a standardized patient, students can practice in a setting that is as near to reality as possible, but without the possibility of having harmful effects. The use of patient simulators and standardized patients for medical and nursing education training purposes is a phenomenon that has greatly enhanced the learning laboratory environment.