The School of Nursing Simulation and Skills Center (SSC) is a state-of-the-art nursing educational facility that incorporates simulated, realistic learning experiences into the instruction of nursing students. Located on the fourth floor of the School of Nursing, SSC provides an environment for students to practice and demonstrate nursing skills and practices. Furthermore, the Simulations (SIMs) facilities here in SSC are consistent with the high standards of education at UT Austin School of Nursing.
Contact Information
Office Location: NUR 4.121 (SSC staff offices are located in the west (back) hallway on the 4th floor)
Office Hours: Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 512-471-9062 or 512-475-9569
Email: Simlab@nursing.utexas.edu
Simulation & Skills Center Labs
Simulation Lab
In the Simulation Lab students learn and apply the skills and knowledge needed to provide safe, evidence-based and quality patient care. Students are introduced to technologically sophisticated mannequins that replicate real patients from infancy to adulthood. Nursing students practice prioritizing the diverse needs of complex patients while practicing effective communication in a busy environment under supervision of their clinical professor.
Simulation Lab: 4.106A-F | Debriefing Rooms: 4.104 A&B
Skills Lab
The Skills Lab is used for nursing skills development in a setting similar to an open hospital patient ward. Students practice a variety of tasks, including starting IVs and practicing wound care. and space to accommodate didactic content delivery, which allows students to learn about and observe the procedure before practicing.
Skills Lab: 4.108, 4.118 and 4.120
Assessment Lab
Location: 4.102
The Assessment Lab provides a classroom with nine exam tables and is primarily used for advanced assessment procedures, orientations, and simulations.
Open Lab
Open lab hours may be used to practice assessment or clinical skills. This time may also be used to make up missed lab classes.
NOTE: The Simulation & Skills Center is considered clinical space and students are required to follow the official School of Nursing uniform policy, as stated in course syllabi and the student handbook.
View open lab policy (EID)
Open Lab Hours – Appointments Required
Location: Rooms 4.108, 4.118, 4.120 (check the signs that will be posted beside the doors)
Contact the SSC Staff for Instructor prescription appointments at (512) 471-9062 or email at Simlab@nursing.utexas.edu for any questions.
*(All open lab hours are subject to change due to the availability of personnel and space)*
NOTE: If a student has received a skills lab referral from their instructor to make up a missed lab or work with a teaching assistant on specific skills, the student must request an appointment with the SSC office at least one day before the desired open lab. Appointment requests and confirmations are to be done through Accudemia. This is to ensure that the needed materials and staff are available at that time. During busy times, such as around performance test dates, students may be limited to one 30 to 45 minutes appointment per day, so students who need to make up several hours should plan on multiple visits over the course of several days to complete their prescribed lab practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check out equipment and supplies from the lab?
Some equipment and supplies can be checked out for class-related assignments and projects. Please email Deanna Baker, with a detailed list of items needed, in the LEAP Center for availability and arrangement of supply check-out. Please refer to LEAP Center Supply Check-out Form for additional information.
I forgot my lab coat for skills class. Can I check one out for class today?
Neither the LEAP Center nor the Simulation & Skills Center (SSC) can check out lab coats to students, due to infection control policies. Please remember to always bring your required lab coat and other supplies as assigned or borrow one from a fellow classmate.
I missed a lab, now what?
Contact your lab instructor. They will arrange to meet with you to go over any new material you missed. Once that is completed, the instructor may instruct you to go to open lab for more practice or may make a referral for you to meet with a TA for addition guided practice.
When is open lab?
Open lab schedules are on the website, outside the doors of the lab rooms, and in the elevators at the School of Nursing.