Wright State nursing students spend Fall Semester in upgraded facilities

As part of the $6 million renovation, the updated spaces allow nursing students to train in environments that reflect what they will see in the workplace. (Photos by Erin Pence)

Wright State University’s School of Nursing students are spending the Fall Semester in updated teaching laboratories following the completion of the first phase of a $6 million renovation project. Over 200 students are enrolled in the courses taking place in the revitalized spaces, allowing them to train in a setting that reflects what they will experience in their careers. 

The first phase of the project, which began in summer 2026, updated three teaching laboratories in the School of Nursing’s Learning Resource Center. The renovated nursing laboratories provide nearly 13,700 student hours of hands-on learning each semester for approximately 200 students enrolled in Fundamentals I and II, where they develop essential nursing assessment and clinical skills before transitioning into patient care settings.

The renovation allows students to train in spaces that more closely mirror the environments they will encounter during clinical rotations and future careers in hospitals and other healthcare settings. Lab improvements included adding equipment and furnishings commonly found in contemporary patient-care settings: hospital beds and headwalls, IV equipment, mannequins, privacy curtains and updated aesthetics.

“These are the spaces where our nursing students build the foundation of their clinical skills, gaining the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on experience they need to provide safe, quality patient care,” said Marty Sexton, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health, Education and Human Services. “Providing a modern learning environment that reflects what they will see in the workplace gives students the opportunity to build their skills and confidence before caring for patients in a clinical setting.” 

Over 200 students are utilizing the updated nursing laboratories for their fundamentals courses this Fall Semester.

Junior nursing major Peyton Fife said that the renovations have allowed her to get a realistic experience while training on campus.

“Having access to updated equipment and new spaces has made me feel more confident when performing skills,” she said. “It has made my learning more engaging and has better prepared me for my future career.”

The second phase of the project is anticipated to begin in summer 2027. This phase will continue modernizing and expanding the Learning Resource Center, including additional laboratory space renovations and developing two new simulation rooms.

The program’s expansion strengthens Wright State’s partnership with Premier Health by training more nurses who will be ready to transition into the workforce after graduation and help address nursing shortages in critical care areas.

Wright State and Premier Health work together to provide the Nursing Academy, giving students annual tuition assistance, hands-on training as part-time Premier Health employees, a Wright State education and a direct pathway to employment after graduation. The partnership also developed the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Academy, supporting students pursuing advanced practice education after receiving a bachelor’s degree.

Nursing remains the most popular major at Wright State, with more than 400 students currently pursuing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program’s high interest heavily influenced the project’s development — after the project’s completion, it is estimated that the program will be able to accommodate nearly double the number of students by the 2027–2028 academic year.

“As our nursing program continues to grow, having high-quality learning spaces demonstrates Wright State’s investment in the quality of the student learning experience,” Sexton said. “These renovations are essential to preparing practice-ready nurses for our community.”