Installation of a new AI- and VR-powered Immersion Room in Waynesburg University’s Nursing Clinical Learning Center, the first Nasco Healthcare-designed immersion lab of its kind in the nation, was recently completed, further advancing immersive, competency-based learning opportunities for students in the University’s Nursing Program.
By intentionally integrating technology across our programs, we are preparing graduates who are adaptable, confident and ready to practice in settings that increasingly rely on innovation and evidence-based care."
Located within Stewart Science Hall, the donor-funded Nursing Immersion Room features a fully enclosed room with three additional interior walls that create an amphitheater-style environment. Using advanced projection, laser and touchscreen technology, the room delivers a fully immersive interactive learning experience that places students at the center of realistic clinical scenarios and team-based patient care.
“Our commitment is to ensure that nursing students have access to the technology and learning tools necessary to succeed in today’s complex healthcare environment,” said Dr. Sherry Zak, PhD, RN, Director of Nursing. “By intentionally integrating technology across our programs, we are preparing graduates who are adaptable, confident and ready to practice in settings that increasingly rely on innovation and evidence-based care.”
Anchored by the NextGen DANi™ Immersive Experience / Be READY Immersive Experience by Nasco Healthcare and supplied by McKesson Medical Surgical, the technology was custom-designed and constructed specifically for Waynesburg University.
The Immersion Room operates through an integrated system of three projectors, infrared cameras and infrared lasers that work together to transform wall projections into interactive surfaces. A centralized server and dedicated wireless network allow all components to communicate seamlessly, supporting smooth scenario execution and real-time interaction. Built precisely to detailed specifications provided by Nasco Healthcare, the installation process was efficient and ensured the system met the Nursing Program’s exact instructional needs.
The simulation system supports a wide range of hands-on clinical capabilities, including temperature assessment, stethoscope auscultation, injections, blood pressure monitoring, labs, ultrasound, glucometer use, pulse oximetry, CPR, ventilation, cardiac leads, defibrillation and more. Faculty can utilize pre-programmed scenarios that are fully customizable or design custom simulations from scratch, allowing instructors to tailor experiences to specific lesson plans and prepare students for the complexities of real-world patient care.
The new Immersion Room complements the existing Nursing Simulation Lab, which offers eight patient simulation rooms with high-fidelity simulators, preparing future nurses for real-world scenarios in a range of healthcare field and industry positions.
In October 2025, Waynesburg University unveiled ALEX Gen AI, a groundbreaking donor-funded generative AI-powered manikin manufactured by Nasco Healthcare, purchased from McKesson Medical Surgical, the first of its kind, to enhance clinical nursing education with responsive, speech-enabled simulation and real-time interaction capabilities.
About the Department of Nursing
Waynesburg University’s Department of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that has established itself as a premier program known for its academic rigor, clinical excellence, and responsiveness to the evolving healthcare system. The Curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for a wide range of professional nursing roles across diverse healthcare settings.
To meet the needs of today’s learners and the evolving nursing workforce, the Department of Nursing offers multiple curricular pathways, including a traditional BSN program, a Second-Degree BSN pathway, and an LPN-to-BSN pathway. The Second-Degree BSN and LPN-to-BSN options are offered in hybrid formats that combine online coursework with in-person laboratory, simulation, and clinical experiences. These pathways were intentionally designed to expand access to nursing education and enable the University to reach students from diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and demographics, including working adults and career-changing learners.
About Waynesburg U.
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.
