HCA MidAmerica and Research College of Nursing Open New Campus

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the U.S. is facing a nationwide nursing shortage that is expected to intensify as Baby Boomers age and demand for healthcare services continues to rise. Workforce gaps across hospitals and health systems are already straining care delivery, and preparing the next generation of skilled caregivers has become a critical priority. In response, healthcare university systems across the country are expanding nursing education programs and facilities to increase enrollment, strengthen training and graduate practice-ready professionals. 

To help meet this growing need, McCownGordon recently delivered a 78,000 square-foot collaborative campus that brings together the Research College of Nursing and the HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement. Purposefully designed to support academic instruction, student services and hands-on clinical training, the facility creates a seamless learning environment that reflects the realities of modern healthcare delivery while strengthening the connection between education and practice. 

At the heart of the facility are shared, next-generation simulation and skills labs designed to closely mirror real hospital environments. These immersive learning spaces give students repeated exposure to real-world scenarios in a safe, controlled setting, helping bridge the gap between the classroom and the bedside. Through hands-on experience with advanced technology, students build confidence, sharpen clinical judgment and develop essential teamwork skills long before entering live clinical settings. 

The next-generation simulation rooms are designed to parallel hospital spaces, featuring high-definition simulators, hospital beds and fully integrated headwall units. Each room is supported by a dedicated control room with one-way glass, allowing instructors to observe, adjust scenarios in real time and provide detailed feedback following each exercise. With realistic patient responses and evolving clinical situations, students can practice decision-making under pressure while learning from both successes and missteps. 

A large skill lab bay simulates a fast-paced emergency room environment, complete with five hospital beds that allow multiple students to train simultaneously. This flexible setup supports a wide range of instruction, from fundamental nursing skills to complex emergency response scenarios, and encourages collaboration among students, faculty and clinical partners. The design also allows the programs to scale training efforts efficiently as enrollment grows. 

Beyond simulation spaces, the facility supports the full student experience through collaborative classrooms, study areas and student support spaces that promote connection, engagement and retention. By co-locating academic and clinical advancement programs, the campus fosters collaboration between educators, healthcare professionals and students, reinforcing a shared mission to strengthen the nursing workforce and improve patient outcomes. 

Through thoughtful planning, close collaboration and a focus on long-term outcomes, McCownGordon delivered a facility that supports the evolving needs of nursing education while providing a flexible platform for future growth. As healthcare systems continue to confront workforce challenges, projects like this play a vital role in expanding access to high-quality training and ensuring communities are supported by skilled, compassionate caregivers for years to come.