The Future of Nursing Education:

For generations, nursing education has relied on lectures, textbooks, and clinical rotations to prepare students for a career in healthcare. But at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, a 41,000-square-foot simulation hospital, Simulation Hospital Advancing Research and Education (S.H.A.R.E.), is transforming nursing education through artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive simulation technology.

At S.H.A.R.E., students are learning how to navigate complex healthcare scenarios in realistic hospital and clinical settings facilitated by AI and simulations, well before entering the workforce. There, Frank Guido-Sanz, associate dean for simulation and research, leads a team of simulation nurse specialists and technologists ensuring students have access to cutting-edge technology that strengthens their education.

“Studies consistently show that immersive simulation education improves clinical skills, teamwork, communication, and patient safety when used alongside traditional instruction,” said Guido-Sanz.

The difference between traditional instruction and immersive learning becomes clear the moment students enter a simulation scenario. Instead of reading about a patient, students find themselves responding to simulated situations such as cardiac arrest, end-of-life conversations, or ethical conflicts in real time.

“These types of situations are volatile, uncommon, or unsafe for students to manage in real clinical settings. Simulation places learners in environments where they must synthesize data, prioritize actions, communicate effectively, and reflect on outcomes well before they are likely to encounter them in practice,” Guido-Sanz said.

Those experiences are intentionally designed to replicate the unpredictability and complexity of healthcare environments while maintaining a safe learning space.

“Simulation lets students practice high-stress scenarios in a safe setting,” Guido-Sanz said. “Over time, they learn how to manage stress, stay focused, and reflect on their responses during debriefing.”

For many students, the transition from classroom learning to immersive simulation can initially feel intimidating.

“Students usually start out a little nervous, but that quickly turns into strong engagement,” Guido-Sanz said. “Many are surprised by how real and immersive the experience feels.”

That realism is becoming increasingly sophisticated through artificial intelligence. Guido-Sanz and his team recently collaborated with a group of University IT experts led by Roberto Padron, the school’s senior help desk technician, to create two AI agents designed to support nursing education: L.A.I.L.A. and A.I.D.A.

The AI systems support adaptive learning through real-time feedback and customized content creation. A.I.D.A. can generate avatars, role-play patient interactions, write simulation instructions, and create debriefing analytics. L.A.I.L.A. serves as a resource assistant for simulation staff members.

“These AI agents and video tools support adaptive learning through real-time feedback, helping students strengthen clinical decision-making and engage more meaningfully in simulation-based experiences,” Guido-Sanz said.

The University’s investment in advanced technology comes at a time when the nursing workforce is facing increasing demand nationwide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for nurses with advanced degrees is projected to increase 35 percent between 2024 and 2034, while registered nursing positions are expected to increase five percent, a faster growth rate than the three percent expected for all occupations during the same time period.

Guido-Sanz believes simulation-based learning can help address workforce shortages by preparing students for the realities of patient care in today’s healthcare systems.

“Using advanced technology helps align education with what students will encounter in modern healthcare environments, reinforcing real-world readiness and bridging the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice,” Guido-Sanz said.

While traditional nursing education still plays an essential role, simulation-based learning adds dimensions that static instruction cannot fully recreate. And students themselves often recognize the difference.

“Students often say immersive simulations feel more meaningful than lectures alone,” Guido-Sanz said. “They value being able to apply knowledge and learn from mistakes without risk.”

Repeated practice also appears to strengthen confidence and decision-making.

“With repeated simulations, students become noticeably more confident and decisive,” Guido-Sanz said. “They’re better prepared to think on their feet and communicate clearly in patient care situations.”

For the University, the goal is to strengthen nursing education through the latest technological innovations long before a nursing student encounters their first real emergency.

“It’s exciting to watch students gain confidence while learning with tools that are quickly becoming standard in healthcare practice,” Guido-Sanz said.

This content was paid for and created by the University of Miami. The editorial staff of The Chronicle had no role in its preparation. Find out more about paid content.