Waynesburg University has acquired a groundbreaking AI-powered manikin, marking a significant advancement in its nursing program. The new simulator, Alex, developed by Nasco Healthcare, is the first artificial intelligence manikin of its kind and is now housed on the first floor of Stewart Science Hall.
Funded by a donor, Alex brings state-of-the-art capabilities that allow nursing students to engage in dynamic, real-time patient care scenarios. Equipped with responsive, speech-enabled artificial intelligence, the manikin is able to listen, see and respond to students using a built-in camera and microphone system. The camera embedded within the eyes of the manikin records every interaction, providing valuable footage for faculty assessments and student feedback.
“This is a wonderful step forward in our technology and a great opportunity for our students who need this skills practice,” said Dr. Sherry Zak, chairperson for the Department of Nursing and director of the undergraduate and graduate nursing program. “We are incredibly humbled and grateful that our donor recognized our students’ need for this technology and decided to meet that need. We are excited to see the impact this will have on learning retention of nursing skills.”
The addition of Alex is part of ongoing renovations to Stewart Science Hall’s first floor, which has been recently rebranded as the Nursing Clinical Learning Center. The Center currently features 10 other simulation manikins, including two 3G manikins and a RealMom birthing simulator.
Alex is unmatched in its features and functionality. With the ability to speak in any language, answer detailed medical history questions and simulate a wide range of real-world conditions, the manikin allows students to practice everything from taking vitals and identifying heart, lung and intestinal sounds, to performing CPR. The manikin’s chest rises and falls with customizable breathing rates, and students can detect pulses and blood flow throughout the body.
Nursing faculty can remotely control the manikin from any device, triggering complex medical scenarios in real time. The built-in software challenges students to respond just as they would in a clinical setting, giving them the hands-on experience necessary for today’s high-stakes healthcare environment.
“This type of technology is truly unique for nursing programs,” said Dr. Zak. “It’s an advanced teaching aid that prepares our students for the realities of patient care with a level of realism we’ve never had before.”
The integration of this AI manikin marks a major milestone in the University’s commitment to immersive, tech-forward nursing education. With these continued investments in simulation-based learning, Waynesburg University ensures its nursing graduates are prepared, confident and practice-ready.
Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University’s Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania.
About the Department of Nursing
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