The goal of this project is to establish and supply a clinical skills simulation lab within our Integrated Education and Training (IET) Nursing Assistant program. As our Adult Workforce Education program launches a morning Nursing Assistant cohort, we need to transform a traditional classroom into a hands-on clinical learning environment equipped with essential healthcare training supplies and simulation equipment.
Many adult learners, including English language learners, enter the program with little or no prior healthcare experience. While classroom instruction provides foundational knowledge, students must have repeated opportunities to practice clinical skills in a realistic setting before attempting the Florida Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) examination and entering the workforce. Without adequate simulation resources, students have limited opportunities to build confidence, master required procedures, and develop the professional behaviors expected in healthcare settings.
This project addresses the need for accessible, hands-on training that combines classroom learning with workforce readiness. The simulation lab will allow students to practice patient-care procedures, develop critical thinking skills, and receive immediate feedback in a safe, supportive environment before performing these skills during certification testing or employment.
The project directly supports learning goals aligned with Florida CNA curriculum standards, including patient safety, infection control, communication, personal care skills, restorative care procedures, and patient rights. Students will demonstrate competency in all Florida CNA Prometric-tested skills while strengthening workforce skills such as teamwork, professionalism, and effective communication.
This project also aligns with district priorities by expanding Integrated Education and Training pathways, increasing industry credential attainment, supporting adult learners and English language learners, and preparing students for employment in high-demand healthcare careers. By creating an on-site clinical simulation lab, the district can increase access to workforce training, remove barriers to skill development, and strengthen the local healthcare workforce pipeline.
Project Description
This project will transform a classroom with a clinical skills simulation lab where IET Nursing Assistant students can actively practice essential healthcare skills in a safe, low-risk, and supportive learning environment. It will focus on simulation-based collaborative learning.
What will students do?
Students will participate in hands-on simulation activities throughout the course, using industry-relevant equipment and supplies to reinforce classroom instruction and prepare for state certification requirements.
Hands-On Clinical Skills Practice
Students will use the requested equipment to perform and master CNA certification skills, including:
Mobility and Patient Transfer Training
Using a manual wheelchair, students will learn and practice:
• Safe patient transfers from bed to wheelchair
• Proper wheelchair positioning and safety checks
• Locking wheelchair brakes correctly
• Positioning footrests
• Promoting patient comfort and dignity during transfers
Personal Care and Bedside Procedures
Using a bedside commode and catheter collection equipment, students will practice:
• Measuring urinary output
• Monitoring catheter drainage
• Documentation procedures
• Infection prevention techniques
• Privacy and patient comfort procedures
Hospital Bed-Making and Patient Positioning
Using clinical linens, pillows, and privacy blankets, students will learn and practice:
• Making occupied and unoccupied hospital beds
• Using draw sheets correctly
• Repositioning patients safely
• Side-lying positioning techniques
• Bath blanket procedures
• Maintaining patient dignity and comfort
Dressing and Ambulation Skills
Using scrubs, patient garments, and non-skid footwear (socks and shoes) students will practice:
• Dressing a patient
• Dressing a patient with a weak side
• Ambulating patients safely
• Using gait belts appropriately
• Fall-prevention procedures
Catheter Care Skills
Using Foley catheter training equipment, students will practice:
• Catheter care procedures
• Infection prevention protocols
• Measuring catheter drainage accurately
• Proper documentation techniques
Simulation-Based Learning
Students will participate in realistic patient-care scenarios designed to mirror situations encountered during clinical testing and employment. These simulations move beyond memorization by requiring students to apply clinical procedures while demonstrating communication skills, safety awareness, critical thinking, professionalism, and problem-solving.
Peer Coaching and Collaborative Learning
Students will rotate through the roles of Certified Nursing Assistant, patient, and evaluator. Peer evaluators will use Prometric-aligned clinical skills checklists to provide immediate feedback, identify missed steps, and reinforce competency standards. This collaborative approach promotes engagement, accountability, and deeper understanding of certification requirements.
Career Readiness Integration
Students will participate in mock certification testing experiences that replicate the timing, procedures, and expectations of the Florida CNA Prometric examination. These experiences reduce testing anxiety, improve confidence, and increase readiness for successful credential attainment.
Sustainability and Replication
The requested equipment consists of durable, reusable training materials that will support future cohorts of Nursing Assistant students for years to come. The simulation model can be used in both morning and evening programs, increasing the district's ability to serve additional students while maintaining high-quality instruction. This long-term investment creates a permanent clinical learning environment that can be replicated across future healthcare workforce pathways.
The creation of a clinical skills simulation lab will significantly improve student preparation, confidence, and workforce readiness.
Student Participation Outcomes
• 100% of enrolled students will participate in weekly clinical simulation activities.
• 100% of students will complete all required clinical skills practice sessions.
• Every student will independently perform each Prometric-tested skill a minimum of three times before course completion.
Clinical Skill Development Outcomes
• 100% of students will demonstrate competency in CNA clinical skills using instructor assessment rubrics.
• At least 90% of students will demonstrate proficiency during first-attempt skills evaluations.
• Students will show measurable growth between baseline and final clinical skills assessments.
Academic Achievement Outcomes
• At least 90% of students will score 80% or higher on CNA written practice examinations.
• Students will demonstrate growth in healthcare vocabulary, technical terminology, and patient-care documentation skills.
• English language learners will strengthen workplace communication skills through authentic healthcare simulations.
Certification Outcomes
• 100% of enrolled students will apply for the Florida CNA certification examination.
• At least 90% of students will pass the clinical skills portion of the exam on their first attempt.
• At least 85% of students will earn Florida CNA certification within six months of program completion.
Workforce Readiness Outcomes
• 100% of students will participate in mock certification testing experiences.
• 100% of students will demonstrate improved professionalism, communication, teamwork, and patient-interaction skills.
• At least 80% of students will pursue healthcare employment, clinical placement, or additional healthcare training within six months of completing the program.
Measuring Success
Project success will be measured through:
• Clinical skills assessment rubrics
• Prometric-aligned performance checklists
• Pre- and post-skills evaluations
• Written practice exam results
• Student observation data
• Student reflection activities
• Florida CNA certification outcomes
• Employment and postsecondary placement data
Student work products, instructor observations, simulation performance data, certification pass rates, and workforce outcomes will provide evidence of the project's impact on learning and career readiness.
Because these resources are reusable, the project will continue benefiting 24-36 additional students annually beyond the initial cohort, creating a lasting impact on student achievement and district workforce development goals.
The requested materials in the amount of $453.05 are essential for creating a functional clinical skills simulation lab that directly supports instruction, certification preparation, and workforce readiness. Each item allows students to practice skills required by the Florida CNA curriculum and certification examination while developing confidence in a realistic patient-care environment. All items will be purchased through Amazon.
The investment will directly benefit the initial cohort of 14 adult learners and continue serving future cohorts for multiple years. We anticipate these materials benefiting an additional 24-36 students annually, making this a highly cost-effective investment that supports district workforce development goals while providing long-term value to students pursuing careers in healthcare.
The items requested and their purpose are:
Item 1: Mobility and Patient Transfer Trainer (18-inch Manual Wheelchair)
Purpose: to learn and practice patient transfer, mobility, and safety procedures
Cost: $118.15
Item 2: Medline 3-in-1 Bedside Commode
Purpose: to learn and practice toileting assistance and urinary output measurement skills
Cost: $39.99
Item 3: Two Moukoren Clinical Linen Sets
Purpose: learn and practice hospital bed-making and patient-care procedures
Cost: $37.99
Item 4: One set of Four Bed Pillows
Purpose: to learn and practice positioning and patient comfort skills
Cost: $29.98
Item 5: One set of Three Privacy Blankets
Purpose: to learn and practice bathing, repositioning, and patient dignity procedures
Cost: $27.78
Item 6: One Foley Catheter Insertion Tray and Drainage Bag Kit
Purpose: to learn and practice catheter care and measurement skills
Cost: $97.53
Item 7: Set of Three Non-Slip Socks (Patient Care Garments)
Purpose: to learn and practice dressing and ambulation skills
Cost: $9.98
Item 8: Three Pair Non-Skid Shoes (Patient Care Garments)
Purpose: to learn and practice dressing and ambulation skills
Cost: $43.77
Item 9: Two Snap-Front Surgical Scrub Tops (Patient Care Garments)
Purpose: to learn and practice patient dressing skills
Cost: $31.94
Item 10: Two Surgical Scrub Bottoms (Patient Care Garments)
Purpose: to learn and practice patient dressing skills
Cost: $15.94
453.05
18-inch Manual Wheelchair
118.15
Medline 3-in-1 Bedside Commode
39.99
1 set of 2 Moukoren Clinical Linen Sets
37.99
1 set of Four Bed Pillows
29.98
1 set Three Privacy Blankets
27.78
1 Foley Catheter Insertion Tray and Drainage Bag Kit
