USQ – Nursing Simulation Wards

Premis was engaged to deliver two Nursing Simulation Wards for the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) – one for the Ipswich Campus and the other for the Toowoomba Campus.

At Ipswich, the project involved converting an open plan retreat space, within a library, into a Simulation Nursing Ward – this including specialised Medical Service Panels using compressed air and suction.

Designed to look like a real hospital ward, the simulation space gives nursing and midwifery students the chance to perform a wide variety of clinical scenarios in a risk-free environment. The new space includes five beds, five medium-fidelity mannequins, state-of-the-art training supplies and equipment and cameras for recording and playback debriefing.

It brings the number of simulation wards at the Ipswich campus to six and caters for the rapid growth of the nursing program in recent years.

There were various issues discovered once the team started on site. One of these was with the existing electrical floor boxes. This was resolved by the use of passive fire sealing where required.

The works were completed during Christmas break to reduce impact on staff and students. Whilst on site the team also refurbished of an existing lecture theatre to cater for the new semester enrolments which had almost doubled within a two-year period. “Health care simulation provides a wealth of opportunities to challenge students to think critically and gain clinical skills while carrying out procedures in a controlled environment,” Professor Neville said.