Munster Technological University (MTU) Kerry Campus has unveiled its new healthcare simulation centre, a cornerstone initiative in Ireland’s response to the critical nursing shortage. HSE workforce projections indicate a need for over 5,000 additional nurses nationwide, with rural healthcare facilities in particular facing challenges with staff recruitment and retention.
This advanced training centre combines cutting-edge simulation technology with evidence-based pedagogical approaches to enhance clinical training capabilities while supporting MTU’s ambitious plan to double nursing student intake by 2030.
The Department of Nursing and Healthcare Sciences at MTU Kerry Campus has demonstrated notable growth, increasing nursing student intake by 150 per cent over the past decade. The new centre 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 simulation centre features high-fidelity simulation laboratories that replicate acute and community care environments; AI-enhanced manikins capable of simulating complex patient presentations; interprofessional training spaces designed to foster teamwork and clinical decision-making; and dedicated debriefing areas with advanced audiovisual technology.
President of MTU Prof Maggie Cusack welcomed the launch of the new centre. She said: “This 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.”
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