On Campus Clinical Learning Environment

The On Campus Clinical Learning Environment is a dynamic combination of hands-on innovation and strategic skills-building.

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Practice makes perfect – or in the case of the College of Nursing, it fosters the signature SDSU margin of excellence.

With an emphasis on honing skills and building confidence, the On Campus Clinical Learning Environment (OCCLE) at State offers in-depth simulated experiences to bolster familiarity with key equipment and techniques in medical care.

The OCCLE’s unique learning spaces allow nursing students to put theoretical knowledge into practice in a simulated but realistic environment via adult, child, and infant simulation mannequins. These state-of-the-art units can emulate various symptoms and health scenarios as students safely develop their skills and concentrate on patient care.

Through this education structure, nursing students increase competence, practice teamwork and communication, and prepare for the many future patients that await them.

SDSU professor guiding a female nursing student through a procedure with a mannequin patient.

SDSU professor helps a female nursing student listen to a mannequin patient's heart beat.

Male SDSU nursing student working with a professor while overlooking a mannequin patient.

The OCCLE is located at four of the university’s sites across the state in Aberdeen, Brookings, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls. The environment includes three types of simulation suites to supplement nursing students’ training, specializing in home care, clinic and ambulatory care, and hospital care.

“I know the education and training I received at SDSU prepared me to be resilient, patient-centric, and community focused regardless of the situation. As much as this is a time of uncertainty and fear, we are also writing our page in the history books. This is what we prepare for and this is what it means to be a Jackrabbit.” - Amanda Anthony (Nenaber), SDSU Nursing Class of 2006

Simulation Suites

Within the simulation suites, future nurses have the opportunity to practice critical skills in a safe environment, building confidence and compassion as they gain hands-on insight into the medical field.

As students navigate health care scenarios, SDSU’s expert faculty may observe the experience through a two-way mirror to note progress and offer feedback.

Professors can dictate the responses and symptoms portrayed through the simulation mannequins via advanced technology control rooms.

After the class completes the exercise, faculty and students may utilize the OCCLE’s debriefing rooms to reflect on the training and determine next steps in their learning plans.

“The new skills lab provides our nursing students with a realistic hospital environment where they can practice and perfect basic clinical skills,” said Al Bahe, the SDSU Foundation’s Development Director for the College of Nursing. “During the first week of the fall 2021 semester, I met with a group of Semester 4 nursing students in the new skills lab, and one of them said, ‘This is just awesome. I’m so jealous of the Semester 1 students because they’ll get to use this the whole time. But at least we have it as we finish our degree.’”

From basic vital skills to advanced treatment practices, the OCCLE offers a premier education to State nursing students.

Innovative and bold, the simulation program builds SDSU’s healthcare heroes of tomorrow, transforming and saving lives one Jackrabbit at a time.