Pictures: Domnick Walsh
The Munster Technological Institute’s Kerry campus has launched a state-of-the-art healthcare simulation centre to address the nursing shortage and support the quality of nurse education in the future
The innovative facility represents a strategic investment in healthcare education for the south west
The multi-million euro facility, supported by Higher Education Authority funding, will significantly enhance clinical training capabilities while supporting the ambitious plan to double nursing student intake by 2030.
As the Health Service Executive continues to face staffing challenges nationwide, this advanced training centre positions the south west as a leader in developing practice-ready nursing graduates with the potential to extend education across the health and social care disciplines.
The facility combines cutting-edge simulation technology with evidence-based pedagogical approaches to bridge the gap between academic preparation and clinical practice.
President of MTU, Professor Maggie Cusack, said the simulation centre will provide world-class education and training for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
“Our students will benefit from immersive learning experiences that mimic real-world medical scenarios in a controlled environment. This is a huge achievement for MTU. The simulation centre marks a defining moment in the history of our university and is a symbol of our commitment to educational excellence and innovation,” she said.
Head of Nursing and Healthcare Sciences, Dr Gerardina Harnett, said by combining advanced simulation technology with expert faculty and practice partners in the Health Service Executive, voluntary organisations and Bon Secours, MTU is preparing graduates who can immediately contribute to patient safety and to improving health outcomes across all care settings.
The Department of Nursing and Healthcare Sciences at MTU Kerry has demonstrated exceptional growth, increasing nursing student intake by 150 per cent over the past decade.
The new simulation sentre enables the department to progress toward its target of extending access to nursing programmes and increasing enrolments, a strategic response to regional healthcare workforce needs.
The centre features:
- High-fidelity simulation laboratories replicating acute and community care environments
- AI-enhanced manikins capable of simulating complex patient presentations
- Inter-professional training spaces designed to foster teamwork and clinical decision-making
- Dedicated debriefing areas with advanced audiovisual technology
Advertisers: Get your message to thousands of people every day. Call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
