Austin Community College District (ACC) is changing the landscape of clinical education — through simulations. The College’s Health Science Department adopted an innovative approach to produce technically proficient, empathetic, and culturally aware nurses.  

The new Standardized Patient Program uses simulations to help students experience real-world scenarios. Actors portray patients in special simulation labs on campus. Students test their knowledge and practice communication skills in a controlled setting. 

Over the summer, the RN-to-BSN program was the first of the ACC Nursing programs to pilot the new initiative. Currently, ACC Nursing is collaborating with community partners like the Sickle Cell Association of Texas on further simulation development in the Standardized Patient Program.

“Clinicals play a crucial role in helping our nursing students prepare for the real world. Simulation including the use of standardized patients, provides a realistic and immersive learning environment where students can practice clinical skills and decision-making in a context that closely mirrors actual patient encounters,” says Dr. Nina Almasy, ACC dean of Health Science. “This platform can be customized to meet specific learning objectives, ranging from routine patient interactions to complex medical emergencies. It also promotes confidence-building and competence development in a supportive learning environment.”

ACC’s Simulation Standardized Patient Program will formally launch this fall with 150 students — beginning at the Highland Campus for pre-licensure nursing students and RN-to-BSN students and eventually expand to the Round Rock and Eastview campuses. 

ACC provides a full nursing career pathway, from an entry-level certificate to become a certified nurse aid (CNA) to vocational nursing or an associate degree in professional nursing, and all the way to a bachelor’s degree through the RN-to-BSN program. 

For more information about ACC’s Nursing programs, visit austincc.edu/nursing.

Tags: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN, Clinicals, eastview, Health Science, Highland, nursing, round rock, Simulation, Simulation Center