Even surgical masks couldn’t obscure the students’ smiles as they posed next to a simulated patient during the first-ever Immersive Nursing and Health Care Workshop at S.H.A.R.E. Simulation Hospital Advancing Research & Education®. Hosted by the School of Nursing and Health Studies and S.H.A.R.E. on the University of Miami Coral Gables campus, the brand-new summer experience took place during the last two weeks of June. The hands-on program was designed to build confidence and give students a realistic view of the world of health care.
“The Immersive Nursing and Health Care Workshop is a four-day experiential program designed exclusively for high school students exploring careers in nursing and health care,” explained Zuzer Calero, S.H.A.R.E.’s executive director of business operations. “Participants gained hands-on clinical simulation experience, engaged in interactive learning activities, and trained with licensed nurse educators. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow, even over such a short time.”
To expand access to this unique experience, Calero sought donor support to provide scholarships for high school students passionate about pursuing careers in health care. Thanks to the generosity of a donor, registration fees were fully covered for 10 students who otherwise may not have been able to participate. The program attracted aspiring health care professionals from across the country, with students traveling from as far as Philadelphia, Chicago, California, and New Jersey to attend. Across two sessions, 41 participants successfully completed the workshop.
The impact of the program extended well beyond the classroom. Organizers received numerous messages from parents expressing appreciation for the experience and its influence on their children’s career aspirations. The parent of Daliyah Demerritt shared:
“I am so happy I found this workshop for my daughter at the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Miami. Daliyah recently shared that she is interested in the health care field, and I wanted her to be exposed to the profession to see if it was something she would enjoy pursuing. The S.H.A.R.E. workshop met those expectations and then some. She is now more excited than ever to explore a career in health care. I recommend this program for any young person who wants a firsthand look at what it means and what it takes to become a health care professional.”
Active Learning
Participants jumped into their action-packed time at S.H.A.R.E. by learning to properly don and doff PPE (personal protective equipment), meeting the high-fidelity manikins, and exploring all five floors of the building.
Day 2 was all about communication, teamwork, and critical thinking as students took the “Room of Errors” challenge to see how many incorrect and/or dangerous issues they could identify in a staged health care setting. They also learned to care for wounds by changing the manikins’ bandages, working in teams to help each other remember the steps.
Then they took part in their first simulation scenario. “They did an incredible job navigating the chaos, working together, and learning what it takes to communicate effectively under pressure,” said Calero. “Each activity was designed by our simulation team to build on the previous skills they learned, all of which were skills the students would need for their final team competition.”
During the final two days of the workshop, students put their newly acquired skills into practice through a variety of immersive, hands-on health care experiences. Participants responded to simulated seizure emergencies, supported labor and delivery scenarios, practiced wound care procedures, completed CPR/AED training, and engaged in other realistic clinical activities designed to mirror real-world health care settings.
One of the highlights of the experience was assisting high-fidelity manikin Victoria during labor and delivery. After helping Victoria deliver her baby and placenta, students were given the opportunity to name the newborn. The experience continued with a crash course in infant care, where participants learned how to weigh, measure, diaper, and swaddle a newborn manikin, providing them with a realistic introduction to caring for infants in a health care setting.
Each challenge further sharpened the clinical, communication, and teamwork skills needed for the workshop’s final competition. During that event, groups of four students rotated through five stations focused on skills learned throughout the workshop: hand hygiene and PPE, CPR and AED, newborn care, wound care, and taking vitals. Groups were scored on their proficiency and teamwork, and each team earned top honors at one of the five stations.
Creativity was on full display on the last day of the workshop, dubbed SimFX Friday. During the Art of Simulation Moulage mini-course, participants transformed paint and putty into realistic-looking scrapes, bruises, and lacerations. The hands-on activity provided a glimpse into the artistry behind health care simulation, where clinical special effects are used to create authentic patient scenarios and bring learning experiences to life.
Being embedded at S.H.A.R.E. for the week, including the chance to help in the simulation control rooms, gave students bonus insights into the high-tech field of health care simulation and its important role in preparing competent, confident health care professionals to improve patient safety and outcomes.
“Our entire team was impressed with the outstanding communication, teamwork, and clinical skills the students demonstrated throughout the workshop,” said Calero. “We can't wait to see where their health care journey takes them from here.”
Future-Focused
The workshop offered more than hands-on clinical experiences. During his welcome address, School of Nursing and Health Studies Dean Hudson Santos provided students with an overview of South Florida’s thriving health care ecosystem and the growing demand for health care professionals in the region. His remarks gave participants valuable perspective on the opportunities that await those considering a future in health care.
“Miami is a special place to live,” he said. “Patients come here from all over the world to be seen in one of the area’s several leading health systems. These include our world-class academic health partners, UHealth – University of Miami Health System, and Jackson Health System.”
Drs. Arsham Alamian, associate dean for health studies, and Ashley Falcon, associate professor of clinical, also stopped by the workshop to outline career options in the allied health professions and public health and answer students’ questions.
Finally, students learned about the University’s admission process from undergraduate admissions representatives, who shared tips on what students can do now to prepare for the college application process.
“The workshop was full of learning and laughter while providing an authentic look at health care careers,” said Calero. “All 41 participants passed with flying colors, and we have since received messages from many parents praising the workshop and letting us know their child did not want this ‘truly amazing’ experience to end.”
Register for more information about The Immersive Nursing & Health Care Workshop.
Watch the 2026 Immersive Nursing & Health Care Workshop recap Video
