Healthcare Simulation Initiative
Shape the Future of Healthcare Education
The UNF MedNexus Healthcare Simulation Initiative will equip participants with advanced skills in simulation-based education and training to enhance patient care through immersive learning experiences. Simulation centers are revolutionizing how healthcare professionals train and experts who can design, manage, and teach through simulation are in high demand nationwide.
With roles like Simulation Center Coordinator ($65,000 to $85,000), Simulation Education Specialist ($75,000 to $95,000), and Simulation Center Director ($95,000 to $125,000 plus) expanding rapidly, this program positions you to lead, innovate, and transform clinical education for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
This professional development badge is designed to equip healthcare professionals, educators, and students with the skills to design, conduct, and evaluate high-quality simulation-based learning experiences. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the latest simulation tools and techniques, including scenario development, facilitation, and debriefing.
The course is six months with the curricular component taught online. There are three in-person sessions taught at the UNF MedNexus Innovation Exchange. The UNF MedNexus Innovation Exchange provides 40,000 square feet of simulation education and learning space. The state-of-the-art center has eight individual simulation rooms, each with its own adjoining full-size control room equipped with state.
Who Should Enroll
Our program is ideal for:
- Undergraduate and graduate students across disciplines who have an interest in healthcare simulation.
- Medical and nursing students interested in experiential, hands-on learning.
- Any future healthcare provider passionate about improving clinical outcomes through cutting-edge training techniques.
What You Will Learn.
The curriculum covers key competencies in simulation-based learning, including:
- Proficiency in operating simulation technologies and replicating realistic healthcare scenarios for training purposes.
- Competence in designing and delivering simulation-based educational sessions that promote critical thinking and decision-making among learners.
- Knowledge to create a culture of ongoing evaluation and enhancement of simulation practices, ensuring alignment with current healthcare standards and advancements.
Benefits
- Earning this badge demonstrates your commitment to advancing healthcare education and patient safety. You’ll gain industry-recognized skills that can enhance your teaching effectiveness, improve clinical outcomes, and make you a valuable asset to healthcare institutions and educational programs.
- Upon successfully completing all components of the program, you will receive a UNF MedNexus Healthcare Simulation Badge. This badge can be displayed on your resume, shared on LinkedIn, and added to your professional portfolio.
Eligibility
- The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in healthcare simulation education. This includes but is not limited to business, health, social science, humanities, communication, education majors interested in simulation-based training.
- Participants should be graduating within one academic year and interested in employment in a simulation center.
- There are no formal prerequisites, but an interest in healthcare or healthcare education is recommended. Basic knowledge of patient care and medical procedures would be beneficial for the hands-on portions of the course.
Timeline & Cost
- The program is designed to be flexible to be completed in six months.
- Our program includes both online and in-person components. The online modules offer the flexibility to learn at your own pace, while hands-on workshops are conducted at Mayo Clinic Florida in Jacksonville, Florida to provide essential practical experience.
- Participants are assessed through practical exercises, project submissions, and knowledge quizzes. Upon completion, you will be required to design, facilitate, and debrief a simulation scenario, which will be evaluated by our faculty.
- The program is offered this year for no cost to students.
Zoom meetings/times:
- Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (4:00pm-6:00pm)
- Tuesday, May 12, 2026 (4:00pm-6:00pm)
- Tuesday, July 14, 2026 (4:00pm-6:00pm)
In-person Dates/times:
- Tuesday, April 7, 2026 (all day)
- Friday, June 12, 2026 (all day)
- Thursday, August 6, 2026 (all day)
Application
Please complete the application form and submit the required documentation. Our admissions team will review your application and contact you with the next steps.
- Application deadline: February 13
- Interview notifications: February 17
- Interviews: February 18–20
- Program selection notifications: February 23
This application is now closed.
Cohorts
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Cohorts I
Name: Landon Evans
Major: Health Science - Interdisciplinary Health Studies
Favorite thing about UNF: The beauty of the campus.
Why do you want to work in Healthcare Simulation? It’s a growing field and I love the technology that comes along with it. Also working with other healthcare providers is a very exciting opportunity that many don’t get to experience.
Name: Elexis Lamar
Major: Executive Master of Health Administration
Favorite thing about UNF: I appreciate the way UNF deliberately incorporates the community in their atmosphere and allows for students to feel connected to the city they’re in by exposing them to opportunities.
Why do you want to work in Healthcare Simulation? Healthcare simulation is directly tied to patient safety. Contributing to the behind-the-scenes aspect of healthcare is very fulfilling. I not only get to help provide providers with their refine their skills, but also protect the population.
Name: Ashley Yerger
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Favorite thing about UNF: I enjoy UNF because of the small class sizes, which make it easier to build real connections with professors. I am comfortable asking questions or going to office hours when I need help. Additionally, the class size makes it easier to get to know classmates and form stronger relationships with my peers.
Why do you want to work in Healthcare Simulation? I want to gain hands-on experience in simulation-based education to strengthen my clinical reasoning skills and to better support my community as a future healthcare professional. I have discovered that constant learning and innovation are keys to improving the quality of medical care.
Name: Gabrielle Schofill
Major Nutrition & Dietetics
Favorite thing about UNF: My favorite thing about UNF is that we are encouraged to learn concepts in a hands-on way. This includes a constant stream of opportunities to learn outside of courses through badge programs and internships.
Why do you want to work in Healthcare Simulation? I am interested in working in Healthcare Simulation, because both healthcare and education have always excited me the most. This is a great opportunity to actively be involved in those two spheres.
Name: Audra Mims
Major: Masters Health Informatics
Favorite thing about UNF: My favorite thing about UNF is the strong focus on hands on learning and real world application. The opportunities for experiential learning and professional growth have helped me build both confidence and practical skills that I can immediately apply in healthcare settings.
Why I want to work in Healthcare Simulation: I’m excited about healthcare simulation because I’ve seen firsthand how it improves learning, builds confidence, and enhances patient safety. I’m especially interested in how simulation, data, and technology work together to improve clinical decision making, quality outcomes, and team based care.
Name: Taylor Comeaux
Major: Nutrition and Dietetics
Favorite thing about UNF: my favorite thing about UNF is that it always provides many opportunities for growth and the chance to excel in any career path that you love.
Why do you want to work in Healthcare Simulation? I wish to work in healthcare simulation because I understand that training for real life situations before hand provides the opportunity to handle critical situations if they ever were to arise, healthcare simulation is important because we all have to be prepared for anything that may take place in the healthcare industry.
Name: Brianna Quarterman
Major: Masters Health Informatics
Favorite thing about UNF: The resources and availability to professors have been endless. I really appreciate all of the time and intention that has been provided to ensure that students are truly receiving meaningful experiences.
Why do you want to work in Healthcare Simulation? As a health informatics graduate student, I am excited to learn and understand how data, technology, and electronic health systems can be integrated into simulation to improve clinical decision-making and patient safety. Having the opportunity to collaborate with a team and strategize makes healthcare simulation an ideal space to enhance team performance, design scenarios, and support evidence-based practice.
Name: Hashim Alhasoun
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Favorite thing about UNF: My favorite thing about UNF is the close-knit community, which fosters great student-professor interactions. It's a supportive and welcoming environment.
Why I want to work in Healthcare Simulation: I love the idea of combining healthcare and technology to create safer learning environments for healthcare professionals. While volunteering at Mayo Clinic, I got a firsthand look at the simulation center and saw how it can improve training and patient care, which really inspired me to be part of this field.