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Academic learning, no matter how thorough, can leave students inadequately prepared for the practical side of their chosen career. In healthcare, for example, no amount of seminars can completely mimic the experience of being in an operating theatre. 

To plug the gap between theoretical and practical learning, the University of Bahrain (UoB) has established its Clinical Simulation Laboratory for Nursing Sciences. This state-of-the-art facility, expected to be fully operational before the end of 2025, is a direct response to the evolving demands of modern healthcare and a strategic move to elevate the competencies of future nursing professionals.

“Our vision for this new laboratory stems from a deep commitment to advancing nursing education in Bahrain and aligning it with global best practices and Bahrain’s national health priorities,” explains Leena Khonji, professor of nursing and midwifery at UoB. “In an era of increasing complexity around patient care and increasingly stringent safety requirements, it’s crucial for nursing graduates to possess not only strong theoretical knowledge but also advanced clinical reasoning, decision-making and psychomotor skills.”

The simulation laboratory provides students with a safe, immersive and high-fidelity environment to develop and refine their critical competencies prior to entering real-world clinical settings. In addition, an increased demand for qualified nursing professionals who meet international standards, particularly concerning AI and other cutting-edge technologies, has led to simulation-based education becoming a national imperative in Bahrain. 

“The new lab will significantly increase our yearly intake of nursing students, helping to address the shortage in Bahrain and the wider region, while simultaneously ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills required to integrate the latest innovations into their practice,” adds Khonji. “The simulation lab is not merely an academic milestone but a vital national contribution towards building a sustainable and competent nursing workforce.”

Seamlessly transforming theoretical knowledge into practical application, the simulation lab fundamentally reshapes the learning experience for nursing students. In a classroom setting, learners acquire foundational knowledge and information before the simulation lab provides a dedicated space where this knowledge can be applied to real-world scenarios. Through carefully designed simulations that replicate patient care processes, from routine assessments to high-risk emergency interventions, students gain invaluable hands-on experience. 

“Another important benefit of the simulation environment is the immediate debriefing and feedback provided to students,” Khonji continues. “This instant feedback enhances their clinical performance, reinforces effective learning practices and helps them correct any clinical errors in a safe, controlled setting. This approach significantly boosts student confidence and competence, reducing stress and the likelihood of errors when they transition to real-world patient care.”

The simulation laboratory is the product of extensive collaboration across multiple stakeholders: academic, institutional, national and international. Within UoB, the project was spearheaded by the Department of Nursing with significant support from university leadership, who provided invaluable financial, technical and strategic backing. 

“The university also engaged in extensive benchmarking against best practices in simulation-based education and practice in the US,” Khonji says. “Collaborations were also forged with simulation technology providers in the region, various healthcare institutions and relevant accrediting bodies to ensure the centre meets both national and international standards. Furthermore, the university is currently in the process of developing a simulation-based nursing curriculum to ensure students receive the best education, aligned with advanced technology and the changing needs of healthcare services, particularly with the integration of AI and other new platforms.”

The simulation centre is envisioned as a transformative platform that will significantly elevate nursing education and, consequently, improve overall healthcare outcomes in Bahrain. By providing structured practice within realistic scenarios, it’s hoped that students can develop the critical competencies necessary for safe, effective and patient-centred care.

“Beyond initial graduate training, the centre is designed to serve as a hub for continuous professional development for all healthcare providers, not just nursing graduates,” Khonji adds. “In the long term, the centre will contribute to a more resilient and responsive healthcare system by providing highly competent nursing professionals, while presenting an opportunity to introduce new specialisations within the field.”