Simulation Center
About Our Simulation Center
Located within the new USF Health College of Nursing expansion in Tampa, the Tampa General Hospital Nursing Simulation Center provides more than 18,000 square feet of advanced space for hands-on nursing education.
Through high-fidelity simulations, clinical skills training and guided reflection, undergraduate and graduate nursing students can apply what they learn in the classroom, build confidence and prepare to provide safe, evidence-based patient care.
Where Education Meets Experience
The Tampa General Hospital Nursing Simulation Center creates realistic learning environments where students can practice clinical skills, strengthen communication and make decisions in situations that reflect the complexities of patient care.
Students can assess patients, take vital signs, administer medications, practice advanced health assessments and respond to complex health conditions and emergencies. Each simulation is followed by an opportunity to reflect, receive feedback and turn experience into knowledge.
By providing a safe and supportive place to practice, simulation helps students learn from mistakes, develop clinical judgment and build the confidence needed for clinical practice.
Inside the Tampa General Hospital Nursing Simulation Center
High-Fidelity Simulation Rooms
Six high-fidelity simulation rooms recreate realistic health care environments where nursing students practice clinical decision-making, teamwork and responses to complex patient-care scenarios.
Simulation Control Rooms
Six control rooms allow faculty and simulation specialists to coordinate scenarios in real time, adjust patient conditions and observe student responses in a controlled environment.
Simulation Debriefing Rooms
Six dedicated debriefing rooms give students and faculty space to reflect on each simulation, discuss clinical decisions and transform hands-on experience into meaningful learning.
Clinical Skills Labs
Four nursing skills labs, each equipped with eight beds, give students space to practice essential clinical skills, patient assessments and nursing procedures.
Clinical Examination Rooms
Twelve clinical examination rooms allow graduate nursing students to practice advanced health assessments, patient communication and skills used in advanced nursing practice.
Advanced Medical Equipment and Technology
More than $1.7 million in medical equipment and simulation technology supports realistic, hands-on clinical training for USF Nursing students.
Building Skills and Confidence Before Clinical Practice
Simulation-based nursing education helps students connect classroom knowledge with real-world patient care. Through individual and team-based experiences, students learn to:
Apply clinical knowledge in realistic situations
Strengthen clinical judgment and decision-making
Communicate with patients, families and health care teams
Respond confidently during complex or urgent scenarios
Practice safely before entering clinical environments
Reflect on their performance and identify opportunities for growth
Strengthening Florida’s Nursing Workforce
The Tampa General Hospital Nursing Simulation Center was created through a $4.4 million investment from Tampa General Hospital, building on the longstanding partnership between Tampa General and USF Health.
Together, the organizations are expanding access to advanced nursing education and preparing graduates to meet the evolving needs of patients, health care organizations and communities throughout Florida.
The center also supports interprofessional education, nursing research and collaboration with clinical and community partners.
Our Mission, Values, and Standards
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Simulation Center Mission
Transform nursing education and research through a culture of respect and reflection grounded in evidence-based simulation practices that improve health and wellness.
Simulation Center Vision
Be the aspirational leader in nursing simulation education, research and practice.
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The Tampa General Hospital Nursing Simulation Center incorporates the USF Health College of Nursing’s core values into its learning experiences, operations and partnerships.
Respect: Creating a respectful learning environment through simulation prebriefing and debriefing
Integrity: Incorporating the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Code of Ethics
Inclusion: Encouraging collaboration, diversity and simulations that promote understanding
Excellence: Following nationally recognized simulation standards and best practices
Innovation: Advancing and sharing emerging technology, teaching strategies and ideas
Partnership: Engaging clinical agencies, students, alumni, donors and other stakeholders
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The Tampa General Hospital Nursing Simulation Center is part of the USF Health Simulation Consortium, an interprofessional collaboration that provides high-quality simulation learning experiences for USF Health students.
The consortium is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in Core plus four areas:
Assessment
Research
Teaching/Education
Systems Integration
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The Tampa General Hospital Nursing Simulation Center follows evidence-based best practices in simulation operations, education and research.
Nationally recognized standards and ethical guidelines incorporated into simulation experiences include:
Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice™ from the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning
These standards help create consistent, ethical and effective learning experiences that support student development and patient safety.
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The USF Health Simulation Consortium brings together programs from across USF Health that use simulation to support clinical education, professional development, research and interprofessional collaboration.
Participating colleges, centers and programs include:
Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation
Practice Partners
Innovations
Surgical Robotics
Orientation Training
Continuing Professional Development
Undergraduate programs
Traditional nursing degree
Accelerated nursing degree
Graduate programs and concentrations using simulation
Nurse Anesthesia (MSN and DNP)
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN and DNP)
Adult-Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN and DNP)
Adult- Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN and DNP)
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN and DNP)
Adult- Geriatric and Oncology Nurse Practitioner (MSN and DNP)
Adult- Geriatric and Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner (in conjunction with the College of Public Health)
Post-Masters Nurse Practitioner to DNP
Nurse Educators (MSN only)
Disaster Management
Department of Nutrition
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
Acute Care
Outpatient Care
Undergraduate Medicine
Ready to Learn Here? Find Your Nursing Program
Explore the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs that combine advanced simulation, hands-on education and real-world clinical preparation at USF.