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Board approves simulation ‘workstations on wheels’ for technical college nursing program
Summary
Hillsborough County School Board approved purchase of clinical simulation workstations for the Irwin Technical College nursing program; trustees and staff said units will be used for hands‑on student training and will not store real patient data.
The Hillsborough County School Board on Tuesday approved the purchase of “workstations on wheels” to support the nursing program at Irwin Technical College.
Superintendent Ayers said the devices will provide students with “real world training on medical equipment that is being used in hospitals around the Tampa Bay area” but stressed they will be used as simulators. District staff said the units use simulated patient data in a sandboxed environment and that the district will not collect or store real patient data as part of classroom use.
Board questions focused on warranty terms and subscription fees. Doctor Hahn said she had asked about the two‑year warranty and an optional subscription; district staff replied the trial subscription is free and the program will not require an ongoing subscription for the district’s planned use. Member Brandon asked whether the equipment would be used by school nurses; staff replied the devices are for career and technical education students and will not be used by school‑based nurses for real patient care.
The motion to approve the purchase passed unanimously. District officials said state pipeline funds were used to support the purchase and that staff requested the equipment after clinical partners reported a gap between classroom equipment and what students encounter on clinical rotations.
