Facilities and Technology
The School of Nursing is located on APU’s West Campus, residing in Building I. Building I hosts six classrooms, a conference room, the Skills and Computer Centers, the nursing library and research lab, a simulation lab, as well as office space for faculty and staff.
Skills Centers
The Nursing Skills Centers allow students to practice in simulated exam and hospital rooms. The authentic environment gives students hands-on experience in a realistic setting. Features include:
- Vita Sim Mannequins: These low-fidelity mannequins allow students to monitor vital sounds such as heart, lung, and bowel sounds, and practice wound care, injections, and tracheotomies. Students develop critical thinking skills as they assess their patient.
- Computerized IV Arms: Students perfect skills and gain expertise in intravenous therapy using actual syringes and tubing and simulated blood and veins. The “patient” responds to the students’ treatments. A computerized analysis of the procedure teaches and evaluates.
- Available videotaping of all training procedures further aids in instruction, evaluation, and debriefing, and can be reviewed by students.
- All three nursing program locations (Azusa, San Bernardino, and San Diego) contain Skills Centers and remain open during regular hours for students’ ongoing training and practice schedules.
Computer Center
The Nursing Computer Center contains the latest technology and software applications to facilitate cutting-edge nursing education. Students in all nursing programs rely on the Computer Center for:
- Essential Web-based programming
- Computer-assisted instruction
- Advanced skills and critical thinking
Simulation Lab
The APU Simulation Lab provides students with highly realistic experience as they prepare for diverse clinical situations. This advanced facility allows students to practice skills and demonstrate competencies on an iStan high-fidelity mannequin. The iStan advantage includes:
- One patient per room
- Wireless technology
- High fidelity
- Anatomically correct (spine, neck, arms, hips mimic real movement)
- Can be male, female, young, old, healthy, ill, etc
- Responds to treatment
