Skills & Simulation Lab

The Nursing Skills and Simulation Lab (NSSL) at the American University of Kurdistan is the first of its kind in Iraq, setting a new standard for nursing education in the region. Established to bridge the gap between theory and clinical practice, the NSSL provides a safe, innovative, and student-centered environment where future nurses can build competence and confidence before entering real healthcare settings

The lab is equipped through a United States Department of State grant titled “Support to American-Style Higher Education in Iraq,” awarded in 2021. This generous support has enabled the AUK College of Nursing to furnish the NSSL with state-of-the-art simulation technology, high-fidelity manikins, and clinical-grade equipment that replicate real-world healthcare environments

Here, students develop essential skills in patient care, clinical reasoning, teamwork, and communication through hands-on practice, guided scenarios, and structured debriefing sessions. Learning activities progress from foundational nursing procedures to advanced, complex simulations that prepare students to respond effectively to diverse patient care situations.

As a pioneering facility, the NSSL reflects the College of Nursing’s commitment to excellence in education, innovation in teaching, and preparing graduates to meet the evolving healthcare needs of individuals, families, and communities, locally, nationally, and globally.

Mission

The Nursing Skills and Simulation Lab (NSSL) provides a safe, innovative, and student-centered learning environment where nursing students develop clinical competence, critical thinking, and professional skills through hands-on practice and simulation-based education.

Vision

To be a leading simulation and skills training center in Iraq and the region, advancing nursing education through innovation, excellence, and commitment to preparing practice-ready graduates who improve health outcomes for individuals and communities.

Debriefing Rooms

The NSSL features two dedicated debriefing rooms, designed to support reflective learning and critical thinking after simulation exercises. These rooms provide a private, comfortable, and technology-equipped environment where students and faculty can review clinical scenarios, discuss decision-making processes, and analyze outcomes in a structured manner.

Exam Rooms

The NSSL includes four fully equipped exam rooms that replicate real clinical settings, providing students with a hands-on environment to practice patient assessment, examination, and basic clinical procedures. These rooms allow students to develop proficiency in vital signs measurement, physical assessments, and other essential nursing skills in a controlled, safe setting. By practicing in realistic exam rooms, students build confidence, accuracy, and clinical decision-making abilities, preparing them for successful performance in real healthcare environments.

Adult Male Simulation Room

The Adult Male Simulation Room is equipped with a high-fidelity adult male manikin that enables students to practice comprehensive assessment and management of adult patients. This room provides a realistic clinical environment where learners engage in a variety of scenarios, from routine care to complex medical-surgical conditions. Through hands-on practice with advanced simulation technology, students enhance their critical thinking, communication, and clinical decision-making skills in a safe and supportive setting.

Adult Female Simulation Room

The Adult Female Simulation Room features a high-fidelity adult female manikin designed to support immersive learning across a wide range of adult health scenarios. Students practice clinical assessments, interventions, and collaborative care in a setting that mirrors actual healthcare environments. The lifelike simulator allows learners to experience real-time physiological responses, strengthening their competence in managing diverse clinical situations and promoting readiness for professional practice.

OB-GYN Simulation Room

The OB-GYN Simulation Room houses a high-fidelity maternal and neonatal birthing simulator that provides students with realistic training in obstetric and gynecologic care. This specialized space allows learners to engage in labor and delivery scenarios, postpartum care, newborn assessment, and women’s health procedures. By practicing in a risk-free environment, students gain confidence and essential competencies needed to support safe and effective care for mothers and infants.

Pediatric Simulation Room

The Pediatric Simulation Room includes a high-fidelity pediatric manikin designed to teach students the unique clinical considerations required in caring for infants and children. The room offers a child-friendly, realistic clinical environment where learners perform pediatric assessments, respond to emergencies, and practice communication with pediatric patients and families. This specialized training enhances students’ ability to deliver safe, developmentally appropriate, and family-centered care across a range of pediatric conditions.

Simulation Control Room

The Simulation Control Room is the central hub for managing all high-fidelity simulations in the NSSL. Faculty can monitor scenarios in real time, control manikin responses, and record simulations for later debriefing. This advanced technology allows instructors to provide immediate feedback, track student performance, and ensure a safe, structured, and immersive learning experience. The control room plays a critical role in bridging theory and practice, supporting reflective learning, and enhancing clinical decision-making skills.

Multi-Bed Simulation Room

The Multi-Bed Simulation Room is a versatile training space that houses the majority of the College’s low- to mid-fidelity simulators. This room allows multiple students to practice foundational nursing skills simultaneously, including vital signs assessment, basic procedures, medication administration, and patient monitoring. By providing a realistic yet controlled environment, the Multi-Bed Simulation Room fosters collaborative learning, enhances clinical competence, and prepares students for real-world healthcare settings.