Educating students for a career in nursing is not like any other course of study. It requires a blending of classroom theory with immediate, real-world application very early in the process—a honing of skills combined with sincere human connection—that most majors just don’t require. That’s why today’s nursing programs seek advanced simulation technology to mirror real-world clinical environments.
Now UHD’s RN-to-BSN program is on the verge of providing that transformational learning experience through a new Nursing Skills and Simulation Lab, thanks to a $400,000 gift from The Brown Foundation.
“Through the collective efforts of UHD leadership and our nursing faculty and staff, we were proud to secure this gift from The Brown Foundation to support the expansion of our Nursing Skills and Simulation Laboratory,” said Toi Durham, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Associate Professor and Director of B.S. in Nursing. “This investment will allow us to fully equip a state-of-the-art learning environment that enhances hands-on training, clinical reasoning, and student confidence through high-fidelity simulation experiences. We are preparing practice-ready nurses while expanding opportunities for experiential learning.”
While a basic renovation was recently completed using limited institutional resources, this grant will enable a full-scale buildout of a 5,000 square-foot space in the One Main Building. The new Nursing Skills and Simulation Laboratory will reflect best practices in contemporary nursing education, including realistic patient simulations and high-fidelity equipment that support didactic instruction, hands-on skill development, and structured debriefing. It will also support interprofessional education with partners in social work and public health, strengthening UHD’s impact as a healthcare talent pipeline.
UHD is currently serving a strong and growing population of nursing students, along with a significantly large pre-nursing cohort. The university’s RN-to-BSN program is uniquely designed to support working nurses and non-traditional students, creating accessible pathways for academic and professional advancement. Upward growth in the 2026–2027 academic year is anticipated, supported by increased capacity and enhanced learning resources.
“The addition of the new lab will support future program expansion to include graduate education,” said Durham. “This momentum builds upon the program’s recent ten-year reaccreditation milestone and will propel us to the next level in preparing highly competent, workforce-ready nurses.”