Practice Makes Perfect: Preparing Nurses to Lead Through Crisis

XFacebookLinkedInEmail TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Preparing for high-pressure situations in any profession takes hours of practice to remain calm while honing the skills necessary to succeed in that role. This is especially important in the field of nursing when caring for patients who may face life-altering challenges at a moment's notice. The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing's simulation center prepares the next generation of nurses through state-of-the-science technology and innovative teaching strategies, providing students with immersive, hands-on learning experiences that mirror the realities of today's complex health care environments. "At the Capstone College of Nursing, we believe leadership is inherent in every nursing role with the goal of ensuring that our graduates are ready to meet the challenges of modern nursing practice," said Dr. Heather Cole, director of clinical simulation. "The simulation center empowers students to grow into competent and confident professionals who are fully prepared to deliver safe, evidence-based and patient-centered care." [Link] To ensure students are introduced to the full spectrum of patient care, they practice skills in a lab with more than 40 patient beds, in addition to four adult acute care rooms, a dedicated obstetric suite and specialized pediatric suite. CCN also has a dedicated home health lab, giving students the opportunity to practice providing safe and effective care in community settings. "I feel like I'm more prepared for situations that happen in the hospital," said Anna Grace Baker, a senior nursing student featured in this year's Where Legends Are Made campaign. "We do a stroke simulation and I was actually working in the ICU and had a stroke situation happen and I felt like I was prepared to handle that. The simulation center utilizes the latest technology including artificial intelligence to simulate real-world situations. "Our simulation program integrates AI-powered virtual patients that respond in real time to student interactions," Cole said. "These systems allow nursing students to practice therapeutic communication, assess patient needs and refine their clinical judgment. "By using AI-driven conversational models, students engage in diverse patient scenarios in ways that might be difficult to reproduce consistently with a manikin. AI also supports adaptive feedback systems, giving students immediate insights into their decision-making." [Link] In April 2025, CCN along with multiple agencies across UA and Tuscaloosa participated in a large-scale mass casualty simulation surrounding a large structural collapse. The simulation center was at the heart of the exercise where more than 150 CCN students gained hands-on experience treating patients with a multitude of injuries. "Events like this simulation demonstrate how legends are made through innovation, grit, service and collaboration," Cole said. "By standing shoulder to shoulder with first responders and fellow health care professionals, our students gained the confidence and skill to rise in moments that matter most for our community." The investment made by CCN has seen huge returns as the College continuously boasts a National Council Licensure Examination pass rate that far exceeds the national average, including a perfect 100% among its 2024 graduates as reported by the Alabama Board of Nursing. "The greatest impact of simulation is student growth. The lab provides a safe environment where students can make mistakes and refine their skills before stepping into real hospital units," Cole said. "Ultimately, simulation ensures that when students enter patient care settings, they are not practicing for the first time on real people. They are already confident and prepared to provide the best patient care." The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state's flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides a forward-thinking environment and over 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state's largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond. Contact Alex House, UA Strategic Communications, [email protected]