Partnerships and Activities 6 | College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter Nursing Department BUSINESS & HEALTH INNOVATION CENTER The Department of Nursing relocated to the new Business and Health Innovation Center (BHIC) in December 2025. This state-of-the-art facility was purpose-built to support excellence in nursing education and all spring 2026 courses took place in the new building, lab and simulation center. An official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony is forthcoming. SIMULATION & SKILLS LAB The BHIC houses a comprehensive simulation and skills complex designed to mirror real-world clinical environments. The simulation suite features six beds across multiple specialty settings, each configured to replicate specific areas of patient care. Dedicated suites include an OB/Pediatrics room equipped with a warmer and delivery-style bed, a clinic and home health setting, a large medical-surgical room, a critical care suite with advanced ICU equipment and ventilators and multipurpose rooms used for skills validation and testing. This multi-room, hospital-style layout allows students to experience realistic transitions between care settings, much as they would in an actual healthcare facility. In addition to the simulation suites, a separate eight-bed skills lab provides dedicated space for students to practice foundational nursing procedures such as wound care, medication administration, catheter insertion and patient assessment. Students have access to a dedicated locker area for lab preparation, ensuring a professional, organized environment for every session. The center’s technology investment is substantial. Equipment includes several high-fidelity (lifelike) manikins, a Pyxis automated medication dispensing system—the same technology used in hospitals—virtual reality equipment and a variety of task trainers for focused skill development. Audiovisual recording equipment and two dedicated debriefing rooms support the full simulation learning cycle: preparation, hands-on practice and guided reflection. Together, the simulation and skills lab areas support 945 hours of clinical learning, giving students extensive opportunity to build confidence and competence before entering real patient care settings. The Department of Nursing completed a landmark first year, transitioning from program development to active instruction of the university’s first-ever BSN students. In fall 2025, the program welcomed its inaugural cohort of 30 students, followed by a second cohort of students admitted in spring 2026. Cohort 1 achieved 100% retention from fall to spring, reflecting both the strength of the program and the dedication of its students. In addition to the traditional BSN pathway, the department launched an LPN-to-BSN pathway, expanding access for licensed practical nurses seeking to advance their education. Induction ceremonies were held for both cohorts, marking each student’s formal entry into the nursing profession. The spring 2026 induction was held in the new Business and Health Innovation Center on Jan. 26, 2026. The program also reached a critical accreditation milestone: CCNE applicant status was granted, putting NSU on track for its accreditation site visit in fall 2026. INAUGURAL YEAR MILESTONES
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