TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa General Hospital and the University of South Florida are planning a new lab to enhance nursing students’ training.
School and hospital officials said Thursday that TGH is investing $4.4 million over six years into the planning, construction and implementation of the Tampa General Hospital USF Health College of Nursing Simulation Lab.
What You Need To Know
- TGH and USF planning nursing simulation lab
- Lab will include 12 clinical examination rooms, four simulation learning labs, a multipurpose learning lab and multiple classrooms
- USF/TGH affiliation began in 1970, when Tampa General became the primary teaching hospital for USF’s Morsani College of Medicine and residency programs
- USF College of Nursing
The lab will include 12 clinical examination rooms, four simulation learning labs, a multipurpose learning lab, six high-fidelity simulation rooms, six debriefing classrooms and six control rooms.
Simulated scenarios will enable nursing students to practice vital signs and patient safety, transitions of care, medicine administration safety, sepsis identification, communication with patients and family teaching, health assessment skills, prioritization of care, recognition of deteriorating patients and calls for help.
“The partnership between the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital continues to provide new and innovative opportunities for our students, faculty and staff to create a healthier future for the Tampa Bay region,” said USF President Rhea Law. “The generous support from TGH will further strengthen our USF Health College of Nursing as we prepare nurses for successful careers and help fill an important workforce need in our communities.”
According to a statewide analysis of the health care workforce conducted by the Florida Hospital Association, the state faces an overall shortage of 59,000 nurses by 2035.
“Across the state and around the nation, we’re facing a crisis when it comes to our nursing workforce,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “There will not be enough trained nurses to fill our need to care for patients. That’s why we’re expanding access to education and training for Tampa Bay nursing students – to grow our pipeline of essential health care professionals in this region
“With this new simulation lab, we’re using the latest technologies to ensure nurses are not just qualified, but also practiced and experienced in clinical situations. This advanced training will contribute to the exceptional care we provide at TGH and help further improve patient outcomes.”