Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and the University of South Florida (USF) have partnered to establish a new nursing simulation lab at the USF Health College of Nursing in the US.

TGH is funding this initiative with a $4.4m investment over six years for the new lab design, construction, and operation.

This initiative aims to provide advanced training for nursing students preparing to enter the healthcare field.

The lab, named the Tampa General Hospital USF Health College of Nursing Simulation Lab, will feature various facilities, including clinical examination rooms, simulation learning labs, high-fidelity simulation rooms, debriefing classrooms, and control rooms.

These resources will enable nursing students to practice essential skills such as vital signs monitoring, patient safety, medicine administration, sepsis identification, communication with patients, and health assessment, among others.

The collaboration aims to address a projected shortage of 59,000 nurses in Florida by 2035, as indicated by a state-wide analysis by the Florida Hospital Association.

Tampa General Hospital and the USF have been working together for a long time to improve healthcare education and research.

TGH president and CEO John Couris said: “Across the state and around the nation, we’re facing a crisis when it comes to our nursing workforce.

“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.”

He further noted: “With this new simulation lab, we’re using the latest technologies to ensure nurses are not just qualified, but also practised and experienced in clinical situations.

“This advanced training will contribute to the exceptional care we provide at TGH and help further improve patient outcomes.”