UA Little Rock Dedicates Arkansas’s First Virtual Reality Lab for Nursing Students
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock celebrated a groundbreaking step forward in nursing education on Sept. 30 with the dedication of the Innovation Station Lab, the first virtual reality simulation lab in Arkansas dedicated specifically to training nursing students.
The new Innovation Station, located in the Pat Walker Center for Nursing, is designed to revolutionize how students learn, practice, and prepare for real-world patient care. Combining state-of-the-art virtual and augmented reality technology with hands-on clinical training, the lab gives students access to realistic, repeatable scenarios that strengthen their clinical skills and judgment.
“Today’s nurses must be more than compassionate caregivers,” UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale said. “They must be clinically sharp, technologically proficient, and ready to adapt in fast-paced healthcare environments. The Innovation Station revolutionizes how our students learn, practice, and prepare for real-world care. This is just one of the ways UA Little Rock is strengthening the future of healthcare in Arkansas.”
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain, a registered nurse and former chair of the School of Nursing, emphasized how simulation-based education is key to addressing Arkansas’s ongoing nursing shortage.
“Simulation-based education is one of the most effective ways we can prepare students for patient care,” Bain said. “Over the past four years, our students have completed more than 114,000 hours of simulation training, supported by $1.26 million in new technology and equipment. The Innovation Station is the next step forward, giving students access to realistic, repeatable clinical scenarios that sharpen judgment and build confidence.”
The dedication ceremony drew campus and community leaders as well as alumni and healthcare partners, who explored both the new Innovation Station and the internationally recognized Center for Simulation Innovation. Visitors observed demonstrations of high-fidelity manikins, Echo masks, and other advanced training tools that replicate the sights and sounds of real healthcare environments.
Students also showcased the new virtual reality technology during live demonstrations. Using Oculus headsets, they navigated AI-powered clinical scenarios involving pediatric patients, dehydration cases, postoperative care, and even rare emergency events that students might never encounter during traditional clinical rotations.
“We have the Oculus VR equipment set up for our class, and we’re able to come here and pick a scenario,” said Brendon Johnson, a junior nursing student from Cabot. “I had a patient who was dehydrated and experiencing abdominal pain. I was able to talk to him, get his vitals, and follow up with his doctor to determine the next stage of care. It gives us a way to see things that would be dangerous if they happened to real patients and to practice handling them safely.”
Students also performed CPR demonstrations on new interactive training carts that provide real-time feedback on compression depth, speed, and technique, which will help UA Little Rock nursing students meet certification standards and develop life-saving skills.
For Joanna Hall, director of simulation and a three-time graduate of UA Little Rock’s nursing program, the power of simulation lies in its ability to replicate critical moments safely and repeatedly.
“Simulation allows students to make mistakes in a safe environment and learn from them,” Hall said. “We no longer rely on chance for students to encounter critical scenarios during clinical rotations. We can create those experiences on demand. The Innovation Station takes this capability to the next level, ensuring our graduates are confident, capable, and clinically prepared.”
Keya McGee, president of the Student Nurses Association, said the new lab will help students approach their careers with more confidence.
“This isn’t just about cool headsets. It’s about the future of healthcare,” McGee said. “Simulation gives us the confidence to make decisions under pressure, reflect on our choices, and apply what we learn to real patients. This lab elevates not only the UA Little Rock School of Nursing, but also healthcare for the millions of Arkansans we will serve.”
UA Little Rock alumnus Jussus Sanchez, a 2014 graduate and certified registered nurse anesthetist at UAMS, said the new lab represents a major leap forward in training.
“My time as a student was stressful but rewarding, and I came out well prepared,” Sanchez said. “Now, with augmented reality, you’re more one-on-one with your clinicals. It results in a more focused approach. It will help nurses build confidence, learn how to approach patients, and experience things that a manikin alone can’t represent.”
As the open house concluded, Provost Bain invited guests to tour the facilities and see firsthand how the Innovation Station and Center for Simulation Innovation are reshaping nursing education across Arkansas.
Bain said the dedication of the Innovation Station is more than an investment in technology; it’s an investment in the health of Arkansas.
“It ensures our students are ready to deliver excellent care, whether in hospitals, clinics, or rural health centers,” Bain said. “Most importantly, it’s a step forward in addressing the critical nursing shortage facing our state.”