Rockland Community College officially opened its new $3 million Nursing Simulation Lab in Suffern, New York, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Fall 2026 semester. Funded by the federal 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, the 5,234-square-foot facility is five times larger than the college’s previous simulation space and is designed to provide approximately 1,250 individual student experiences each semester, according to RCC. Located on the second floor of the college’s Technology Building, the expanded facility accommodates more than 515 nursing students currently enrolled in the program, allowing instructors to run multiple scenarios back-to-back and grant students repeated, skill-building practice in a controlled setting.
## Realistic Clinical Layout and Specialized Simulation Wings
The new laboratory features a specialized simulation wing equipped to replicate real-world hospital environments. Blueprint designs from the college show that the setup features seven additional simulated skills practice areas, a critical care bay, a pediatric bay, five medical-surgical beds, and a four-bed area designated for skills testing. To manage complex patient scenarios, the facility incorporates three control rooms capable of operating up to six simulations simultaneously. Two debriefing rooms equipped with SimCapture technology allow students and faculty to review recorded scenarios, analyze clinical judgment, and discuss communication skills. Functioning headwalls and advanced hospital equipment complete the realistic clinical setting.
## High-Fidelity Manikins and Advanced Training Technology
Students have access to high-fidelity simulators capable of reproducing complex patient conditions and physiological reactions. Among these is “MamaAnne,” a maternal simulator designed to help healthcare teams identify and manage critical, high-risk obstetric emergencies, alongside a “SIMNewbie” newborn simulator. The lab also integrates modern training tools, including AI-enhanced interactive systems, virtual-reality clinical scenarios, and wearable vests capable of reproducing realistic heart, lung, and bowel sounds. A virtual pharmacy platform and an interactive life-size virtual dissection system allow students to examine detailed 3D models of the human body and practice medication administration safely.
## Leadership Perspectives and Program Performance
College officials emphasize that the investment aims to strengthen clinical competence before students enter actual healthcare facilities. Mullaney, president of Rockland Community College. “As the demand for skilled nurses continues to grow, RCC is committed to preparing graduates with the skills and confidence they need to succeed.”
Sara Annunziato, Dean of Nursing, Health and Wellness, Business and Professional Studies, noted that the expanded environment helps students practice responding to complex situations. “Our responsibility as nurse educators is to prepare students to provide safe, skilled care in real-world clinical settings,” Annunziato said. “By integrating advanced simulation into their education, we are helping students build the competence and confidence they need to succeed on their licensing exams and enter the nursing profession prepared to care for patients.”
The new facility supports an already high-performing academic division. Over the past five years, RCC nursing students have achieved a 94 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), outperforming both state and national averages. Additionally, NursingProcess.org ranked the curriculum as the top choice out of 153 associate degree nursing programs across New York State that received State Board of Nursing approval in 2025.
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