Illinois State University has opened a new $2.7 million nursing lab on its campus in Normal.
The Mennonite College of Nursing lab is a 10,000 square-foot simulation of a hospital unit. It includes four patient rooms where nursing students will be able to experience simulated patient care before they do their required clinical practice in real hospitals.
Senior Tina Hitz says the lab will allow nursing students to make their mistakes on mannequins before they see real patients.
ISU President Al Boman says the growing nursing school has 418 students and 48 full-time faculty members.