5 reasons students love our Healthcare Simulation Centre
As a Children’s Nursing student at Wrexham University, I have the privilege of regularly using the Healthcare Simulation Centre, one of the University’s most cutting-edge facilities. This dedicated space, designed to enhance the learning experience for health professional students like me, boasts state-of-the-art equipment, including advanced mannequins like Apollo, Hal, and Simbaby, which have transformed the way we learn and practice clinical skills.
In this blog, I will share my top five favourite features of the Healthcare Simulation Centre.
1. The advanced mannequins: Apollo, Hal, and Simbaby
The stars of the Healthcare Simulation Centre are undoubtedly the Apollo, Hal, and Simbaby mannequins. These high-fidelity mannequins simulate real-life patient scenarios with incredible accuracy. Whether it is a cardiac arrest, respiratory distress or a paediatric-specific emergency, these mannequins allow us to practice our responses in a safe, controlled environment.
For me, working with Hal, the child mannequin, has been particularly beneficial as a Children’s Nursing student. It provides hands-on experience in recognising symptoms, administering care, and communicating effectively in paediatric scenarios. The ability to practice with these lifelike mannequins boosts my confidence and prepares me for real-world situations.
2. The realistic simulation rooms
The Healthcare Simulation Centre includes fully equipped simulation rooms that mirror real hospital and clinical settings. From paediatric wards to intensive care units, these spaces can be designed to immerse students in environments that replicate the challenges of healthcare practice, regardless of whether the area is acute or community.
The attention to detail is remarkable—monitoring equipment, hospital beds, and even the background sounds, create an atmosphere that feels authentic. Practicing in these settings has helped me transition more smoothly into clinical placements, as I am already familiar with many of the tools and workflows.
3. Interactive technology for collaborative learning
One of the most exciting aspects of the Healthcare Simulation Centre is the integration of interactive technology. During simulation exercises, cameras and recording systems capture our performances, allowing us to review and reflect afterwards. This immediate feedback is invaluable—it highlights areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
Additionally, the Healthcare Simulation Centre supports collaborative learning by enabling group discussions and debriefing sessions. These opportunities to learn from peers and instructors have been instrumental in developing not only my clinical skills, but also my ability to work effectively as part of a team.
4. A resource for all healthcare students
While the Healthcare Simulation Centre is a cornerstone of Nursing studies, it’s designed to support all healthcare students, making it a truly inclusive and versatile learning space. Paramedic Science students, for example, use the facility’s Simbulance - a fully equipped ambulance simulator—to practice responding to emergencies in a prehospital environment. This unique resource allows them to refine their skills in real-time scenarios, such as stabilising patients during transport, managing cardiac arrests, and navigating the complexities of working in confined spaces.
Physiotherapy students also benefit greatly from its cutting-edge technology. The anatomy table is a standout feature, offering an interactive and detailed 3D visualisation of the human body. This tool allows physiotherapists in training to explore anatomical structures layer by layer, deepening their understanding of musculoskeletal systems and injury mechanisms. It bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, empowering students to develop evidence-based approaches to patient care.
This collaborative environment fosters interdisciplinary learning, where healthcare students from various fields can appreciate the interconnected nature of their roles. Whether it’s nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, or any other healthcare course, the Healthcare Simulation Centre ensures everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive in their respective professions.
5. The supportive learning environment
Finally, what makes the Healthcare Simulation Centre truly stand out is the supportive atmosphere it fosters. Instructors are always on hand to guide us through simulations and provide constructive feedback. The facility encourages a culture of learning without fear of mistakes—every error is seen as an opportunity to grow. This nurturing environment has made me feel more confident in my abilities and reassured me that I am progressing toward becoming a competent and compassionate nurse.
If you are considering studying Nursing or Allied Health at Wrexham University, this facility alone is a fantastic reason to take the leap. It is a place where skills are developed, confidence is built, and the journey to becoming a healthcare professional truly begins. As a Children’s Nursing student, I feel incredibly fortunate to have access to such an innovative facility.
- Written by Shannon Kemp, BN (Hons) Children’s Nursing student
To learn more about our ‘cutting-edge facilities’, why not attend our upcoming open day? Explore our facilities, learn about our Nursing and Allied Health courses, and meet our friendly staff and students. Spark change in the healthcare field with a degree at Wrexham University.